Patent Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Intellectual Property

Location: Rochester, NY

Reports To: Intellectual Property Department attorneys

Classification: Salaried non-exempt

Job Type: Full-time, M–F, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Company Overview:

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is a leading and reputable full-service law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Headquarters are located in Rochester, NY with additional offices in Albany and Buffalo, NY.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. We encourage open communication, teamwork, and professional growth. Our firm promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports the well-being of our employees.

Summary:

We are seeking a Patent Paralegal with strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail to join our growing Intellectual Property Department. This role focuses on patent matters, supporting attorneys through all stages of patent filing and prosecution, maintaining patent files, preparing patent application paperwork, and communicating with inventors and clients. The Paralegal will also provide backup support to the firm's trademark paralegal as needed. Additionally, the role involves communication with Intellectual Property attorneys, processing invoices, and offering general administrative support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Support attorneys through all stages of patent filing and prosecution

- Navigate the USPTO website to identify the appropriate forms and follow current filing procedures

- Draft routine correspondence and prosecution documents under attorney supervision

- Monitor and track attorney dockets for upcoming action items and deadlines

- Maintain patent electronic files in the document management system

- Prepare the necessary paperwork to file patent applications and related documents

- Communicate with inventors and clients as necessary to complete required documents

- Provide backup support to the firm's trademark paralegal as needed

- Prepare correspondence to our Intellectual Property foreign associates

- Process foreign associate and vendor communications and invoices

- Work with Accounting to generate bills

- Provide administrative support such as maintaining calendars, setting up meetings, coordinating courier deliveries, and sorting and distributing mail

Requirements:

- 2–5+ years of patent paralegal experience preferred

- Bachelor's degree preferred; a paralegal certificate (e.g., NALA CP/ACP) is a plus

- Familiarity with navigating the USPTO website to locate appropriate forms and filing procedures

- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

- Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain meticulous records

- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues as needed

Physical Requirements: This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely requires the ability to remain stationary for extended periods, operate a computer and other standard office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in writing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. This is a snapshot of the core functions and responsibilities. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The compensation range for this position is $60,000.00–$80,000.00 annually, representing our good faith and reasonable estimate of the potential compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on various factors, including the candidate's qualifications, experience, and skill set.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value an open mind, dedication to work, and a collaborative spirit. We hire based on these qualities, a job's requirements, our business needs, and an applicant's qualifications. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind—in the hiring process or in the workplace. We comply with the ADA and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants/employees to perform essential functions. We participate in E-Verify. We will provide the federal government with employees' Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once an employee has accepted a job offer and completed Form I-9.