Job Title: Patent Paralegal
Location: San Francisco, CA (hybrid – 2 days/week)
Hire Type: Contract (6 months+)
Schedule: 9/80 schedule (40 hours per week), consisting of 9-hour workdays Monday through Thursday, 8-hour Fridays, and every other Friday off.
Role Overview:
As a member of the IP Operations team, you will report to the Principal Patent Paralegal and help establish and protect our rights to our innovations. You will coordinate U.S. and foreign filing and prosecution, collaborating with a large team including in-house attorneys, agents, and patent paralegals, as well as outside counsel. You must be comfortable with multi-tasking and prioritization in a fast-paced environment with close attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness. You must excel at obtaining and effectively communicating information related to pending patent applications and matters of U.S. and foreign patent law.
Essential Job Functions:
- Research, prepare, and draft complex legal documents for international patent filings and prosecution
- Prepare aesthetic and accurate U.S. applications and PCT applications and documents using ePCT. File PCT and U.S. applications electronically through Patent Center
- Work with internal attorneys, agents, and international law firms utilizing knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent rules and requirements to respond to office actions, complete formalities, and provide all materials and support. Monitor and ensure all deadlines are met
- Respond to questions regarding third-party and our patents from internal and external customers
- Research and provide accurate responses regarding patent terms, relevant dates, priority applications, ownership, and other pertinent information by researching appropriate resources, including internal databases, attorney reports, and external specialized patent resources such as Patent Center, Espacenet, Patentscope, and world-wide patent offices
- Ensure compliance with patent handling procedures
- Perform other duties as assigned by immediate manager.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Education Required:
- Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification, or the equivalent in experience
- Minimum of three years of combined U.S. and foreign patent filing experience
- Both in-house and private practice law firm experience a plus
- Demonstrates integrity and honesty in all matters
- Exhibits professionalism and composure in stressful situations and in meeting short deadlines
- Solid knowledge of U.S. and international patent filing procedures and rules
- Ability to read, understand, and extract relevant information accurately from legal documents
- Solid skills in Microsoft Office applications, including intermediate to advanced skills using Word and Excel.
- Experience with MxHero, Box, Anaqua or other patent and trademark docketing system a plus
- The ability and willingness to learn new software applications
- Strong oral, written, and organizational skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Demonstrates a willingness to learn and effectively utilize emerging technologies, including AI-powered tools, to improve efficiency, enhance data quality, and support patent operations workflows while exercising sound professional judgment.
