Senior Associate Paralegal, Patent Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Deliver paralegal and docketing assistance to the Patent Law department.

• Ensure precise maintenance of U.S. and international patent records.

• Facilitate patent prosecution tasks in collaboration with patent attorneys, agents, Patent Coordinators, external counsel, foreign filing providers, and colleagues in Patent Operations.

• Initiate new patent matters in the IP Management System (IPMS), while entering and validating filing dates, application details, parties involved, and essential docket information.

• Review correspondence from patent offices, outside counsel, and service providers; docket prosecution events, filing deadlines, and associated tasks in IPMS.

• Track attorney dockets and assigned responsibilities, follow up on imminent or overdue actions, and escalate deadlines and concerns as necessary.

• Keep current task comments and matter notes updated.

• Coordinate the entry into the national phase of PCT and provide foreign filing instructions.

• Prepare and dispatch foreign filing instructions and necessary documents; monitor acknowledgments and filing confirmations.

• Create and assess recurring and ad hoc reports from IPMS.

• Conduct docket and data-quality assessments and manage necessary corrections.

• Oversee patent annuities, maintenance fees, invention disclosure intake, and portfolio management.

• Protect confidential information, maintain electronic records, offer backup support, and engage in process enhancements.

⛳️ Requirements

• Master’s degree OR Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience in intellectual property docketing OR Associate’s degree with 6 years of intellectual property docketing experience OR high school diploma / GED with 8 years of intellectual property docketing experience.

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or completion of an ABA-approved legal assistant or paralegal program.

• At least four years of intellectual property experience within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical sectors.

• Familiarity with U.S. and international patent prosecution, including PCT national phase entries, Paris Convention filings, and foreign filing formalities.

• Proficient in ANAQUA or a similar intellectual property management and docketing software, with experience in generating docket and portfolio reports.

• Background in reviewing patent office and outside counsel correspondence and coordinating filing instructions with attorneys, agents, and foreign counsel.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, organizational, and follow-up abilities.

• Strong judgment in recognizing discrepancies and addressing issues promptly.

• Capability to work independently, prioritize competing tasks, maintain accuracy under pressure, and collaborate efficiently across teams.

🏝️ Benefits

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with substantial company contributions.

• Group medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• A discretionary annual bonus program.

• Stock-based long-term incentives.

• Award-winning time-off policies.

• Flexible work models where feasible.

• Opportunities for career development.

• Support for work/life balance.