IP DOCKETING MANAGER

McAfee & Taft•Oklahoma City, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The IP Docketing Manager is responsible for docketing and supporting multiple attorneys in the Firm and is expected to have a high degree of responsibility for project management and implementation to help deliver efficient, responsive and creative results for our clients.

Requirements

Integrity/Ethics - Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, conveys good news and bad
Communication - Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, and has good listening skills
Interpersonal Skills - Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback, and handles constructive criticism.
Quality - Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, owns/acts on quality problems
Sense of Urgency - Prioritizes well, shows energy, reacts to opportunities, instills urgency in others, meets deadlines
Associate’s degree in paralegal or legal studies or other related discipline is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Minimum of 3 years of administrative experience required, and 5+ years in legal experience preferred.
Skilled with MS Office Suite and other office products.
Excellent written and oral communication skills (comprehension & expression).
Strong command of the English language, including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.
Detail-oriented and ability to create, compose, proof and edit correspondence.
Possess sense of initiative and responsibility to manage case load and maintain confidentiality of records and information.
Ability to work in a fast paced, high-pressured environment.
Excellent problem-solving skills and team mindset.
Ability to review incoming and outgoing correspondence and input information in a timely and accurate manner.
Willing to work overtime and do what it takes to meet deadlines as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Prior IP docket management or IP paralegal experience preferred but not required.
Paralegal certification from ABA-approves program preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Docket incoming US Patent Trademark Office and foreign filing mail into docketing database; double checking for accuracy.
Write effective notes into the database to ensure shared knowledge and historical reference.
Routinely apply judgment to ensure that risk management is safeguarded, and docket data is complete and reliable
Manage that all forms of correspondence are accurately entered into the database and record keeping system.
Investigate perceived discrepancies and inconsistencies in due dates and dockets; analyze and review mail where response dates are not apparent or where contingencies may exist; report issues and findings to appropriate attorneys and staff
Act as resource to attorneys and staff, providing docketing guidance and expertise.
Regularly and effectively communicate docket standards, protocols, and procedures to ensure understanding and compliance within department
Review outgoing filings; de-docket relevant dates in docketing database; forecast and enter next action
Ensure that any discrepancies in docket dates and responses are appropriately resolved and corrected
Review relevant documents, such as letters, faxes, email, etc., relating to foreign filing responses and de-docket as appropriate; follow through with paralegals and attorneys as necessary
Generate regular docket reports and distribute to department members
Review and follow through on updates to docket report as identified by department members, input updates into docketing database
Prepare ad hoc docket reports for department members and clients, customizing as appropriate
Collaborate closely with department members to ensure that client reports are formatted and prepared to meet client needs
Collaborating and assisting in the regular review and assessment of docketing procedures; participate in and coordinate updates to procedures; develop responsive procedural changes
Assist with periodic docket audits and proactively respond to underlying issues
Participate in special projects involving docket functions that require docket expertise, historical knowledge, etc.
Provide in-depth, detailed, and analytical research on docket-related issues and questions; follow through on findings; propose and implement measures as appropriate to improve processes to reduce future risk
Prepare and file patent, trademark and copyright applications
Communication and coordination with foreign counsel re foreign filings
Prepare, review, edit, proofread and file a variety of documents, pleadings and communications.
Prepare correspondence to clients
Scrupulously review all work products to ensure highest accuracy; routinely apply techniques and procedures to manage details, often working under critical deadlines
Actively prioritize work responding to deadlines and changing critical needs