Patent Prosecution Specialist

Job Description

Trustpoint is partnering with a boutique intellectual property law firm, serving biotechnology, pharmaceutical, university, and life sciences innovators, in its search for an experienced Patent Prosecution Specialist to join the firm’s growing legal team in its Washington, DC office and support sophisticated U.S. and international patent prosecution matters for clients developing medicines, therapies, and scientific breakthroughs.

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This position serves as a key operational partner to our patent attorneys, ensuring patent matters move accurately, efficiently, and on time. Successful candidates will be comfortable taking ownership of their work, managing competing deadlines, and proactively keeping complex legal matters on track. The person in this position must be able to quickly assume ownership of an active patent prosecution portfolio with minimal ramp-up while contributing as a trusted member of the legal team. Duties include, but are not limited to:

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• Prepare, review, and coordinate U.S. and foreign patent prosecution filings.
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• Prepare and file Information Disclosure Statements (IDSs), formal documents, assignments, declarations, powers of attorney, and other patent prosecution documentation.
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• Support attorneys with patent prosecution, patent maintenance matters, client reporting letters (CRLs), USPTO correspondence, and related prosecution workflows.
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• Coordinate correspondence with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO to ensure matters progress accurately and on time.
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• Review prosecution matters proactively, identify potential issues, and help keep complex patent portfolios moving efficiently.
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• Work collaboratively with the firm's Docketing Assistant, who manages docket maintenance, intake, and administrative workflow coordination, to ensure seamless matter management and timely filings.
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• Maintain accurate electronic matter files and prosecution records in the firm's practice management systems.
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• As needed, contribute to legal operations initiatives, workflow improvements, system implementation projects, SOP development, and other efforts that strengthen the firm's long-term operations and client service.
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Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree required; degrees in legal studies, biology, chemistry, engineering, or another scientific discipline are preferred.
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• 2–5+ years of hands-on U.S. patent prosecution experience within an intellectual property law firm.
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• Experience preparing and coordinating USPTO filings, IDSs, formal documents, docket management, patent maintenance support, and patent prosecution workflows.
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• Experience communicating professionally with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO.
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• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
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• Excellent written communication, organization, and time management skills.
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• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal practice management software.
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• Experience supporting international patent prosecution is preferred.
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• Experience with AppColl or comparable IP docketing software is a plus.
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• Experience working in a boutique intellectual property law firm is a plus.
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• Experience with IDS filings, Information Disclosure Statements, assignments, patent maintenance matters, and related prosecution workflows is preferred.
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This position offers the opportunity for meaningful legal work, greater ownership, and a firm that values both professional excellence and personal well-being.

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Base Salary: Starting at $35/hour, commensurate with experience

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If you would like to learn more about the Patent Prosecution Specialist position available in Washington, DC, then please submit your resume, in Word format, by clicking the Apply Now button.

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Trustpoint.One provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.