Sheridan Ross P.C. is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant to join our intellectual property law team. This position is crucial in supporting attorneys and patent agents in managing the life cycle of domestic and international patent applications, from initial drafting through to issuance.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

Under the supervision of attorneys, the Legal Assistant will perform a variety of crucial paralegal, administrative, and organizational tasks to ensure the efficient and accurate prosecution of client patent applications.

Patent Prosecution & Filing

  • Prepare and review patent application and prosecution documents for filing, including shell patent/trademark applications, Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), Responses to Office Actions, Amendments, and Notice of Allowance reviews.
  • Electronically file all relevant documents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) via Patent Center/EFS-Web, as well as with state and federal courts as required.
  • Draft and manage routine correspondence to clients, including reporting letters, status updates, and instructions to foreign associates regarding international filing and national phase entry.
  • Actively manage and organize case files, compiling and maintaining all relevant documents in both electronic (network drives, databases like PATTSY) and physical formats, ensuring file accessibility and integrity.

Case Management & Communication

  • Serve as a direct liaison between Attorneys and support staff, facilitating communication and executing attorney requests promptly and accurately.
  • Coordinate with clients as needed to provide case status updates and manage necessary administrative communications.
  • Assist with administrative duties, including but not limited to maintaining attorney calendars and deadlines.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience & Education

  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a legal assistant in IP, specifically in patent prosecution.
  • College graduate or equivalent professional experience.

Required Skills & Technical Proficiency

  • Excellent communication, writing, and proofreading skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
  • Exceptional organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities, with a proven capacity to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced, high-volume, and deadline-driven environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to interact professionally and effectively with attorneys, staff, clients, and vendors.
  • Strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, and Document Management Systems.
  • Familiarity with collaborative tools, specifically Microsoft Teams.
  • Experience with IP docketing software (e.g., NetDocs, Anaqua, Compulaw, PATTSY) and legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw) is a significant plus. Knowledge of time-entry software, such as Carpe Diem, and document review platforms, like Relativity or SharePoint, is also a benefit.

Our standard is a 37 1/2-hour work week, supporting your best work with remote and hybrid flexibility. We personalize the arrangement based on your experience.

Next Steps:

If you are a motivated and experienced legal assistant seeking sophisticated work, significant responsibility, a better work-life balance, and a genuine opportunity for professional growth within a leading IP boutique, we encourage you to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sheridan Ross is committed to fostering an environment that embraces and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusiveness where everyone can excel. We encourage our professionals to be themselves and share their perspectives, experiences, and insights. Individuals seeking employment at Sheridan Ross are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or genetic information, among other protected bases.

Benefit and Compensation Summary

Sheridan Ross offers a competitive pay and benefits package to full-time employees, including health care benefits, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k), discretionary bonus, parking reimbursement, and more.

Base Salary Range: $65,000-85,000 based on experience.

We appreciate the interest of all staffing agencies and recruiters. However, we are not seeking external assistance for this role. Unsolicited resumes will not be considered.