Senior Paralegal - Intellectual Property

Avient is seeking a Senior Paralegal, Intellectual Property to perform a range of activities in support of the company’s legal and intellectual property (IP) global operations including:

• providing paralegal support for global patent and trademark activities; and

• assisting with confidentiality agreements (NDAs / CDAs) and similar contracts for Avient’s businesses worldwide.  

Working with minimal direct supervision both independently and collaboratively with other team members, internal stakeholders, and external service providers, this position requires a self-confident and knowledgeable IP legal professional who is well-organized, responsive, flexible, resourceful, and enthusiastic. Ideal candidates will have strong experience with both patents and trademarks, and at least some experience (or willingness to learn) assisting with confidentiality agreements and similar contracts.

This position is based at Avient’s global headquarters located in Avon Lake, Ohio.

Essential Functions

• Supports global patent and trademark activities in coordination with Avient’s in-house IP attorneys, outside counsel, and/or external service providers 

• Assists with confidentiality agreements and similar contracts in coordination with other legal team members; activities may include preparing new agreements based on approved templates, responding to inquiries about status and applicability of prior agreements, reviewing proposed agreements and making proposed revisions, and coordinating with counterparties to obtain signatures, etc.

• Manages incoming correspondence from USPTO, WIPO, law firms / local agents worldwide, external service providers, internal stakeholders, etc., and determines appropriate actions

• Dockets deadlines for patent and/or trademark activities worldwide using Avient’s IP database and docketing system (IPfolio)

• Creates and updates records in relevant databases and systems (e.g., IPfolio, SharePoint, network folders, etc.)

• Prepares forms and other documents (e.g., powers of attorney, assignments, application data sheets, PCT requests, information disclosure statements, etc.)

• Coordinates with IP attorneys to take appropriate actions by deadlines

• Corresponds with law firms / local agents worldwide to provide instructions, etc.

• Manages internal processes including invention record submissions, patent filing and country selection decisions, patent maintenance decisions, trademark renewal decisions, etc.

• Communicates with internal stakeholders to request input or decisions, obtain signatures, provide matter updates, etc.

• Manages payment of patent annuities and trademark renewals through external service providers 

• Administers Avient’s USPTO deposit account

• Helps to create vendor profiles, process invoices, and track costs using vendor payment platforms such as Coupa, etc.

• Other duties as assigned 

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED; paralegal certificate and/or associate’s degree and/or bachelor’s degree is advantageous

• Required patent and trademark experience:  10+ years of experience in a law firm or corporate in-house setting involving both patent and trademark support responsibilities

• Preferred contracts experience:  3+ years of experience in a law firm or corporate in-house setting involving support for confidentiality agreements and similar contracts

Additional Qualifications

• Notary public is strongly preferred

• Solid working knowledge of forms, documentation, requirements, and procedures for patent and trademark filings in USPTO and worldwide

• Ability to administer and use IP database and docketing systems (familiarity with IPfolio is advantageous)

• Capable of using patent and trademark office websites such as uspto.gov to find forms, research rules and procedures, check status of applications, record assignments, pay maintenance fees, etc., and publicly available patent databases such as Espacenet to search for and obtain copies of patent publications, confirm family details, etc.

• Familiar with corporate entity concepts, signature authority, etc.

• Familiar with requesting apostilles, authentications, legalizations, etc.

• Experience with (or willingness to learn) collaboration platforms such as SharePoint; electronic signature platforms such as Adobe Sign and DocuSign; and vendor payment platforms such as Coupa

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Exceptional professionalism and ownership of responsibilities reflected in consistency and quality of work product, outstanding attention to detail, and proactive approach to issue spotting and problem solving

• High levels of responsiveness and independent judgment to plan and prioritize daily activities and take appropriate actions with minimal supervision

• Flexible, resourceful, well-organized, and able to work in a fast-paced organization where multitasking is essential

• Good interpersonal skills to build and maintain trusted relationships with colleagues and diverse stakeholders and confidently navigate a complex global organization

• Positive, enthusiastic, growth mindset, proactive, and collegial