Legal Administrative Assistant-IP

SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of duties for Intellectual Property Trademark and Patent attorney(s), including assisting in obtaining patent protection for clients in the United States and abroad. Maintains positive contact with clients, attorneys and staff and observes confidentiality of client matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Operates a computer, particularly word processing applications such as Microsoft Word, and other programs, including Adobe and Microsoft Excel.

2. Prepares correspondence, memoranda and other legal documents from primarily written but sometimes oral drafts; drafts standard correspondence, and other documents.

3. Prepares and uploads patent documents for filing with the USPTO website.

4. Updates patent docketing system for actions taken.

5. Screens telephone calls and records messages.

6. Reviews and prioritizes incoming patent mail to determine action needed.

7. Updates document management system and physical files for client and patent office correspondence.

8. Establishes and maintains calendar and deadline reminder systems; utilizes master calendar system.

9. Opens new files, requests conflict of interest checks with file room records, and maintains all client and general files. Conducts periodic review for possible storage of older files; prepares files to be closed.

10. Updates visitor tracking system for clients and visitors; maintains good public relations with clients; observes confidentiality of attorney-client relationship.

11. Makes appointments for attorney(s), including arranging conference rooms and catering for client meetings.12. Processes bills; proofs billing sheets; reviews and edits bills.

13. Submits attorney expense reports and invoices via accounting system.

14. Works closely with administrative support staff (word processing, reprographics, receptionists, etc.); proofs documents returned from word processing.

15. Performs legal assistant duties as requested.

16. Other duties as assigned.

The employee must be able to perform all essential job duties and responsibilities of this position satisfactorily and as outlined, with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodation requests may be accommodated, absent undue firm hardship.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Ability to read and write in order to proof and perform minor editing (e.g., punctuation, grammar, spelling) of routine law office correspondence and legal case matters. Perform non-complex arithmetic calculations when verifying calculations on forms and documents; maintain records and filing systems at a level normally acquired through completion of high school or equivalent.

2. Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.

3. Ability to proofread typed material for grammatical, typographical or spelling errors.

4. Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys and staff to provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.

5. Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate in person, by e-mail and telephone to provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.

6. Approximately one to two years on the job experience necessary in order to gain an understanding of law office policies and procedures and produce accurate legal documents with minimal supervision.

7. Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook.

8. Patent and/or Trademark experience preferred but not required.

9. Experience in software packages used by the Intellectual Property Department and the United States Patent and Trademark Office is preferred but not required.

10. Work occasionally requires a high level of mental effort while producing a high volume of information performing other essential duties.

11. Work occasionally requires more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position; may require irregular hours.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements of this position. As such, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of job duties or responsibilities required in this job. Subject to firm needs, duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, on a temporary or permanent basis, and with or without notice.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Normal law office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

Barnes & Thornburg currently offers a comprehensive benefit package, including health and life insurance, 401k/Roth and Profit Sharing, and paid time off.

MINNESOTA APPLICANT SALARY RANGE: $65,000-$85,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience in this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Statement

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.