Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant

Employment Opportunity

Intellectual Property Practice Group

Buffalo, NY

Harter Secrest & Emery is a full-service law firm founded in 1894, with offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City. With over 125 lawyers, we offer the depth and breadth of legal talent and experience necessary to achieve exceptional results for our local, regional, and national clients.

We are seeking a legal assistant to fill a position in our Intellectual Property Practice Group in our Buffalo office. This position will be part of a team that provides assistance to the attorneys who manage U.S. and foreign patent and trademark portfolios, including conflict matters and litigation.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with preparation of legal documents, USPTO forms, patent applications, supplemental materials and correspondence for attorney review; attend to electronic filings in Patent Center and interfaces with foreign associates
• Monitor attorneys' dockets and takes action as needed; follow-up with attorneys to determine the status on docket action items
• Assist with the preparation of client correspondence and documents (i.e., proofreading, editing and formatting); responsible for drafting engagement letters, creating new matter intake forms and preparing check requests
• Interface with clients through various forms of communication; respond to client inquiries when appropriate
• Monitor convention deadlines, work with clients to obtain foreign filing instructions, assist with foreign filing estimates and prepare letters to foreign associates with appropriate filing instructions; and
• Perform general administrative tasks including calendar management, entering time, file and document organization and billing

Education / Experience Requirements:

• Two years of legal assistant experience preferred; Associate's degree (Administrative Studies, Business or related field) is desirable
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of clients and staff; proven ability to provide exceptional client service
• Strong organizational skills: ability to respond to multiple priorities and take initiative to meet varying deadlines
• Knowledge of the Intellectual Property practice area; familiarity with electronic filing and IP docketing software is an asset
• Ability to proofread and check typed material for grammatical, typographical, spelling, word usage and format errors
• Good writing skills, including proper spelling and correct grammar, accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong administrative skills are essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF; ability to manipulate and label patent illustrations an asset

Recruiting Information:

• FLSA Classification: Non- Exempt (Hourly)
• Annual Salary Range: $25-$30 per hour
• Hours per week: 37.5
• Excellent benefits package

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance in this position. It is not to be interpreted as an exhaustive description of essential functions, responsibilities, and requirements.

Apply on-line at (select "Careers"). EOE

HARTER SECREST & EMERY LLP IS COMMITTED TO THE POLICY OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. THIS POLICY EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, GENETIC PREDISPOSITION OR CARRIER STATUS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS, VETERAN STATUS OR STATUS AS A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER PROTECTED GROUP OR ACTIVITY.