IP Assistant

Nelson Mullins Riley And Scarborough•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Administrative Assistant with a background in patent litigation to support attorneys and staff in our Houston office. Ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment supporting complex intellectual property matters. In this role, you will provide comprehensive administrative and organizational support to attorneys and legal staff within the Houston office's patent litigation practice group. Responsibilities include managing calendars, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, and handling expense reporting. You will assist in preparing, formatting, proofreading, and finalizing legal documents such as pleadings, motions, correspondence, and discovery materials specific to patent litigation. Additionally, you will maintain and organize case files—both physical and electronic—by managing exhibits, indexing documents, and maintaining litigation binders. The position also involves supporting attorneys with federal court filings, ensuring compliance with local rules, CM/ECF procedures, and patent litigation requirements. You will play a key role in trial preparation by assembling trial notebooks, coordinating witness materials, and managing logistics. Professional communication with clients, vendors, and internal departments is essential, along with handling routine administrative tasks such as copying, scanning, data entry, and document management. As the Houston office continues to grow, you will also assist with operational needs and collaborate with other administrative professionals locally and across the firm. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years of administrative or legal assistant experience in a law firm, including at least one year supporting patent litigation or complex intellectual property litigation. A strong understanding of patent litigation terminology, processes, and federal court filing procedures is essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite—particularly Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint—as well as experience with document management systems is required. Candidates should demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing deadlines, and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality are critical, along with fluency in MS Word, including the use of styles in documents.

Requirements

Minimum of three years of administrative or legal assistant experience in a law firm
At least one year supporting patent litigation or complex intellectual property litigation
Strong understanding of patent litigation terminology, processes, and federal court filing procedures
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite—particularly Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
Experience with document management systems
Exceptional organizational skills
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
Fluency in MS Word, including the use of styles in documents
Ability and willingness to work on-site in the Houston, TX office

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting attorneys through Markman hearings, expert reports, and trial phases in patent matters
Familiarity with docketing systems or IP-specific tools such as PATTSY or IPDAS

Responsibilities

Managing calendars
Scheduling meetings
Coordinating travel arrangements
Handling expense reporting
Preparing, formatting, proofreading, and finalizing legal documents such as pleadings, motions, correspondence, and discovery materials specific to patent litigation
Maintaining and organizing case files—both physical and electronic—by managing exhibits, indexing documents, and maintaining litigation binders
Supporting attorneys with federal court filings, ensuring compliance with local rules, CM/ECF procedures, and patent litigation requirements
Assembling trial notebooks, coordinating witness materials, and managing logistics for trial preparation
Professional communication with clients, vendors, and internal departments
Handling routine administrative tasks such as copying, scanning, data entry, and document management
Assisting with operational needs and collaborating with other administrative professionals locally and across the firm