Job Description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an IP Legal Practice Assistant in the Atlanta office at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. We are searching for someone who wants to be a valued contributor and member of a talented and dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and business professionals.

The IP Legal Practice Assistant is responsible for assisting partners and associates in all aspects of U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, including preparing and filing patent applications and prosecution documents via electronic filing systems, preparing client reporting letters, and providing administrative support.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Responsible for a wide range of duties relating to both U.S. and foreign patent applications at all phases of prosecution.
• Coordinates schedules and updates calendars accordingly.
• Arranges all travel logistics and processes expense reports for reimbursement.
• Prepares and processes new matter openings and conflicts checks.
• Monitors and manages the patent prosecution docket for assigned timekeepers ensuring all deadlines are met in a timely matter and docket updates are communicated to the docketing team.
• Acts as a point of contact for status inquiries and general questions.
• Handles special projects and tasks as requested by attorneys.
• Prepares files and maintains official correspondence using the Firm’s standards and procedures. Official correspondence includes, but is not limited to, information disclosure statements, formality documents, foreign attorney instructions, office action responses, assignments and fee payment instructions.
• Sends client reminders and reporting filings to clients.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred from an accredited college or university or combination of an Associate’s degree and applicable experience.
• Three to five years of formal patent prosecution experience is required. Experience working as a patent assistant or secretary in a large law firm or IP law department is required. Experience in multinational or global law firm a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of US and international patent law and practice including filings; familiarity with CPI docketing database or other comparable patent docketing database.
• Superior customer service skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion.
• Excellent writing and organizational skills; ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects and manage dockets and deadlines.
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment for resolution.
• Excellent Microsoft office skills. Ability to learn firm technology quickly and thoroughly and use it efficiently.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team structure. Ability to collaborate in an effective and professional manner with attorneys, clients, co-workers and administrators. Ability to exercise tact, courtesy and diplomacy in all interpersonal dealings, and ability to make sound and reasonable judgments and decisions.

This is a hybrid role and will require on-site presence 3 days per week. The salary ranges for this position vary depending on the geographic location and other factors such as experience, internal equity, market data, and job-related considerations. The range for this position is from $55,000 - $80,000, with offers contingent upon the various factors. The firm’s compensation strategy includes not just a base salary but also comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, discretionary merit bonuses, life and disability insurance, retirement plans and tailored learning opportunities.

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our Firm and in the larger legal profession. We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger firm. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP maintains a policy of affording all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, ancestry, amnesty, citizenship status, ethnicity, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in any of the Firm’s offices or any other work-related setting. Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position or to enable them to perform the essential functions of a position for which they are otherwise qualified. EEO.