Patent Paralegal (Foreign Prosecution)

About the role

Fish & Richardson is seeking a Patent Paralegal (Foreign Prosecution) to join their fast-paced Practice Systems Department. This position offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

• Accurately prepare, obtain, and file documents related to all phases of patent prosecution, including requests for client instructions; assignments; and responses to office actions.
• Maintain and manage a prosecution docket and follow up on items to ensure due dates and deadlines are met.
• Account for all hours worked on a daily basis by entering time into the firm’s timekeeping system to achieve the billable goal as established by practice management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA (American Bar Association) recognized program or equivalent experience in legal support.
• 5+ years experience as a Patent Paralegal with foreign prosecution knowledge.
• Foreign prosecution experience is required; U.S. experience is a plus but not required.
• Ability to meet the firm’s billing requirement of 1300 hours per year.
• Willingness to assist other team members when needed and ability to work well within a team-oriented environment.
• Preparation and filing of information disclosure statements and formal documents experience (i.e., assignments, declarations, office action shells, etc.) is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in the office as needed for training and collaboration, for a minimum of 3 days per month.

Qualifications

• Willingness to assist other team members when needed and ability to work well within a team-oriented environment.
• Preparation and filing of information disclosure statements and formal documents experience (i.e., assignments, declarations, office action shells, etc.) is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in the office as needed for training and collaboration, for a minimum of 3 days per month.

Skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in the office as needed for training and collaboration, for a minimum of 3 days per month.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
• Generous paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Award-winning retirement and profit sharing plans with employer contribution.
• A family-friendly atmosphere with back-up child care, as well as health and wellness initiatives.
• A positive culture ranked as one of the best in the country in Vault’s 2026 law firm survey.

Pay

• The pay range for this position varies by geographic market.
• In San Diego, the estimated starting pay range is $38.46 - $60.44 per hour (based on a 35-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $70,000 - $110,000 annually.
• In Chicago and Minneapolis, the estimated starting pay range is $33.33 - $52.31 per hour (based on a 37.5-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $65,000- $102,000 annually.
• In Silicon Valley, the estimated starting pay range is $41.21 - $64.29 per hour (based on a 35-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $75,000 - $117,000 annually.

Schedule

• Minimum of 3 days per month in the office for training and collaboration.

Why Fish?

Join Fish’s team in San Diego, Chicago, or Minneapolis to be part of a dynamic and innovative environment. The firm offers competitive pay and discretionary bonus opportunities, along with a rich benefits package that includes comprehensive medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.

Our Commitment to Diversity

As a firm that serves the world’s greatest visionaries, we know that creativity and innovation are the result of seeing the world from multiple different perspectives. Having a diverse team enhances the quality of legal services we provide to our clients, sustains our standing as a premier IP law firm, and strengthens the fabric of our firm.