Our client is seeking an experienced Assistant to join their Intellectual Property (IP) law department in their Chemical, Biotech, & Pharmaceutical practice team. The right candidate will provide legal assistance to attorneys and clients in all aspects of patent prosecution.  The Assistant will perform advanced-level legal and administrative support duties requiring sound judgment, critical thinking, project management, and advanced organizational skills that entail a high level of detail. 

Description:

• Manage electronic e-docket, maintain secondary docket
• Manage inbox/emails by acknowledging, distributing, and saving to electronic document repository 
• Correspond with clients, attorneys and staff to ensure instructions are received and deadlines are met 
• Submit conflicts check(s) and new client matter information through OPEN; prepare engagement letters and assist with client billing as required
• Draft and complete documents/paperwork supporting patent prosecution by accurately and promptly completing necessary forms, documentation and other administrative tasks 
• Provide document production services, including styling and formatting of documents; proofreading and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling and grammatical errors
• Interact professionally and promptly with clients and internal parties by reporting filing information and responding to questions appropriately 
• Respond appropriately to emails, telephone calls, letters and/or visitors; use resources to resolve and answer routine questions
• Schedule appointments and make arrangements for conferences and travel; maintain attorney's calendar and contacts
• Create, organize and maintain client files, follow up on pending matters
• Set up meetings as requested, ensuring all required materials are organized in advance and greet clients/guests as necessary 

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of five (5) years previous legal secretarial or legal assistant patent prosecution experience in a law firm or comparable environment preferred
• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Excellent typing ability of at least 55 words per minute