Patent Paralegal

JOB DESCRIPTION

Primary Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel and Senior Manager- Global IP, this position serves as the paralegal based in the Americas for the Intellectual Property team in the Legal Department.

Primary Duties:

• Assist with identification and creation of patent strategy and goals.
• Create and provide educational programs for America’s engineering team and management on best patent practices.
• Manage patent portfolios, including (a) review of invention disclosures, (b) review/analysis of preliminary patentability research, (c), in coordination with clients and outside counsel, review, file, and/or instruct on filing US, PCT, and foreign patent applications and manage the resulting prosecution, and (d) review issued patents with clients for relevance and maintenance fee payments or abandonment.
• Draft formality documents, attend to document legalization, comply with priority document requirement, assist with legal document execution including use of notaries and apostilles;
• Coordinate the signatures of legal documents in accordance with a defined process including arrangements with notaries and apostilles.
• Patent and legal research.
• Assist with special projects.
• Create, generate, compile, and edit reports, presentations, and spreadsheets, including an ability to analyze and process multiple sources of data.
• Provide other support and perform other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of paralegal experience in international, PCT, and US patent prosecution required with a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a certified paralegal with a large law firm or corporate law department.   
• Paralegal certificate or USPTO patent agent bar admission required.  A candidate with experience planning to take the patent bar exam will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, technical, or science field is preferred.
• A Michigan notary or promptly become a Michigan notary
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and analytical.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to multi-task, be flexible, and be able to prioritize and complete projects effectively and efficiently.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite of products, library, and database creation and maintenance.
• Familiarity with CounselLink® or other law firm billing software, Computer Packages, Inc., or other patent management software. 
• Experience working with outside counsel.
• Ability to understand large company processes and procedures (experience working in international company desirable)
• Cultural Awareness
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

PRIMARY LOCATION