Patent Senior Legal Assistant

Patent Legal AssistantA national law firm is seeking a Patent Legal Assistant to join its life sciences and healthcare IP team. The role is based in one of its San Francisco, Menlo Park, Century City, Downtown Los Angeles, Irvine, Del Mar, San Diego, or Chicago offices. The Patent Legal Assistant will support attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, and practice specialists across all aspects of U.S. patent prosecution, primarily helping paralegals and practice specialists manage the team's daily workflow. Responsibilities include submitting conflict checks, opening new matters, and preparing engagement letters. The role also covers organizing and filing documents in the firm's document management and IP systems and maintaining client ShareFile spaces. The Patent Legal Assistant will prepare Application Data Sheets and other new application papers, manage inventor signatures on formal documents, and record filings with the USPTO. Additional duties include drafting reporting letters, handling Powers of Attorney and transfer-in tasks for new clients, researching U.S. and foreign case files and patent databases, and running docketing reports.Candidates should have at least 2–3 years of recent U.S. patent prosecution experience in a law firm and proficiency filing in USPTO Patent Center. They should also have strong attention to detail and the ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced setting. A high school diploma is required, and some college is preferred. The position is hybrid, with four days per week in office. It is non-exempt with salary up to $130,000.