Foreign Filing Paralegal (patent prosecution/hybrid)

MERCHANT & GOULD PC•Alexandria, VA

5d•$75,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Merchant & Gould, one of the nation's premier intellectual property law firms, is seeking a Foreign Filing Paralegal. This position may be located in any of our office locations. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - 100,000, based on years of experience and geographical location. In order to perform one (1) or more essential functions of this role, a minimum of three (3) days in the office is required. This is a hybrid role where the paralegal will assist in the preparation, prosecution and filing of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, utility patent, design patent, and utility model applications in foreign countries, including research regarding requirements of specific countries.

Requirements

BA degree and paralegal certificate or equivalent experience with some relevant work experience or a minimum of 3 years on-the-job experience with U.S. prosecution filing.
Ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines under supervision of attorney.
Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
Ability to concentrate on detailed work for up to 80% of worktime.
Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate and follow instructions from a diverse group, including clients, attorneys and others, and to provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.
Work occasionally requires a high level of mental effort and stress while organizing and maintaining multiple cases.
Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform essential duties of the job.
Regular attendance at work.

Responsibilities

Establishes and maintains foreign patent files: opens files, prepares paperwork for filing including specifications, claims, abstracts, drawings and formal documents.
Prepares cover letters to foreign associates detailing instructions for filing application.
Reviews all incoming correspondence from foreign associates for essential docketing and for non-substantive responses due.
On-going verbal and written communication with foreign associates and attorneys during filing and prosecution of foreign patent applications.
Assists attorney in on-going procedural aspects of prosecution.
Maintains and updates foreign filing docket.
Establishes and maintains good working relationship with attorneys and staff.
As appropriate, prepares estimates of filing, prosecution and maintenance costs.
Other tasks and projects as may be assigned.