Paralegal - Intellectual Property

Description

Phelps Dunbar LLP is an AmLaw 200 full–service law firm. Phelps Dunbar LLP is offering an opportunity for an IP Paralegal in the Baton Rouge office. The IP Paralegal will perform various substantive legal duties under the supervision and direction of the attorneys in the Business practice group. The ideal candidate will have strong technology skills, work ethic, and attention to detail, with an understanding of patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare draft trademark applications, amendments and responses.
• Prepared draft patent assignments, draft USPTO and PCT patent application forms, prepare draft patent office action responses, prepare initial versions of draft letters of instruction to foreign patent counsel and generally correspond with foreign patent law firms regarding application administration, patent annuities and trademark renewals.
• Update and maintain patent and trademark records in CPI or similar docketing database.
• Manage filing deadlines.
• Account for and input time into computerized timekeeping/billing system.
• Interface with administrative agencies as well as clients.
• Consistently and effectively work in a team environment as well as independently.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience Required:

• A four–year college degree is required. A certificate in paralegal studies is preferred. Significant prior experience may be substituted for a combination of the educational requirements.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of paralegal experience in the patent/trademark area is preferred.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• Must have a high level of computer literacy including proficiency in MS Office Software Suite and a working knowledge of a document management system.
• Experience with United States Patent and Trademark Office administrative procedures is strongly preferred.
• Excellent time management, organizational abilities, attention to detail and strong proofreading skills are also required.

Performance Measures:

• Maintain high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to perform responsibilities as outlined above, both in terms of quality and quantity of work.
• Ability to meet firm billing requirements.
• Ability to work independently; degree of motivation and initiative.
• Dependability and cooperation with attorneys, clients and other support staff.
• Ability to meet deadlines.