Legal Assistant - Patent (Palo Alto, CA)

We are seeking a Legal Assistant in our Patent department for our growing Palo Alto office. As a valued team member, you will provide legal administrative support in a fast-paced environment to attorneys and paralegals. Do you love working with clients? Are you a strong communicator with excellent administrative skills? If so, we would appreciate hearing from you as we build our team.


In this role, you will:

- Provide legal administrative support to attorneys and paralegals, serving as a liaison for clients.
- Initiate client/matter openings, including conflicts checks and engagement letters.
- Proactively review calendars to maintain an overview of attorneys' deadlines; anticipate next steps and implement follow-up procedures to ensure deadlines are met.
- Create, edit, revise, redline, and/or proofread documents.
- Enter attorneys' time; ensure accuracy by proofreading, using spellcheck and appropriate task codes to comply with firm policies.
- Assist with the billing process, including distributing monthly proformas, reviewing and editing proformas, and sending invoices and related correspondence to clients.
- Maintain client and docket files; work with document management system, docket system and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records.
- Assist with reviewing the daily docket and coordinating with attorneys and paralegals on upcoming dates and deadlines for filings, etc.
- Assist with reporting USPTO correspondence to clients and prepare information disclosure statements.
- Process and route incoming mail and electronic communications upon receipt as well as prepare outgoing mail (including packages for shipment) for prompt delivery.
- Process reimbursement requests, check requests, and vendor invoices.
- Coordinate attorney meetings and appointments, including scheduling conference rooms.
- Coordinate travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and rental cars.
- Maintain attorney CLE records, including seminar registration and reporting.
- Delegate administrative tasks to Department Administrative Assistants.
- Provide a high level of customer service to attorneys and clients.
- May be requested to perform other duties as requested.

What we're looking for:

- High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
- At least 4 years of related experience, law firm experience preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Proficient with Adobe Acrobat.
- Excellent oral and verbal communication skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Excellent customer/client service focus and skills.
- Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and perform well under pressure to ensure deadlines are met.
- Ability to use good judgment in resolving conflict and working in challenging situations.
- Ability to maintain client and firm confidentiality.
- Positive attitude and ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to use independent judgment.
- Thorough understanding of legal terminology and procedures pertinent to the practice area.

About Dorsey:

Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.

Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey's benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)

One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:

- Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
- Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
- 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
- Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
- Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Reasonable Accommodations:

Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io.


How to Apply:

Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the "Careers" section of the Dorsey website at and complete Dorsey's online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email.


Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.

The pay range for this position in California only is $34.87 to $64.87 per hour.

This range represents Dorsey's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated.


Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through June 26, 2026.


Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening.

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#LI-Hybrid Office Location: Palo Alto, CA