IP Assistant

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Boston office of Nelson Mullins is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property (IP) Assistant to support a team of IP Attorneys and Technical Specialist within a fast-paced Life Sciences practice. This role provides both practice-specific and administrative support, with a strong focus on patent prosecution, docket management, and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) filings. The IP Assistant reports to the designated IP Coordinator for the Life Sciences team and is directly responsible for all USPTO filings, as well as the overall coordination of docketing and administrative needs for assigned timekeepers. Patent prosecution work is divided among the IP Assistant team on a client-by-client basis, and this position requires a high level of organization, initiative, and independence.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of patent prosecution experience in biotechnology or the life sciences, preferably in a high-volume law firm environment.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing deadlines effectively.
Ability to remain calm and productive under pressure.
Team-oriented mindset and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

Prepare and file complex USPTO submissions, coordinating attorney review, IP Quality Assurance, final filings, and client reporting.
Correspond with clients, foreign counsel, and the USPTO regarding patent actions, filing status, and discrepancies, and coordinate with the Foreign Filing Department to support foreign and international filings.
Review incoming USPTO correspondence and manage non-substantive U.S. docket items, including formalities, assignments, transfers of rights, and client status updates.
Coordinate preparation of Information Disclosure Statements, patent drawings, and sequence listings with internal teams and external vendors, and prepare draft response documents and correspondence for attorney completion.
Communicate case updates to internal departments, review docket clearance reports to ensure deadlines are met, organize files for transfers, and stay current on USPTO rules and procedures.
Provide comprehensive administrative and billing support to attorneys, respond to client billing inquiries, and assist with client reports and research projects.