Senior IP Docket Specialist

About the Firm

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations. We believe that diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes and are committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our firm fosters an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose.

About the Role

The Senior Intellectual Property (“IP”) Docket Specialist is responsible for monitoring assigned shared mailboxes and related docket requests, ensuring timely docketing according to firm guidelines and procedures using the firm’s IP Business docketing software. This position may be filled remotely or in any of our locations. The Senior IP Docket Specialist reports to the Senior IP Docket Manager and assists with additional projects within the Centralized IP Docket Team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure accurate entry and date calculation for docket entries
• Assist Senior IP Docketing Manager with training members of the Central Docketing team
• Review and accurately comprehend documents submitted to ensure all deadlines are identified and docketed
• Review USPTO and foreign filings and double-check accuracy via the foreign and domestic agency websites as necessary
• De-docket completed deadlines
• Verify accuracy of docketed items and de-docketed items and resolve any discrepancies
• Ensure accuracy of and update timekeepers assigned to matters
• Create, review, schedule, and distribute accurate advanced docket reports for patent and trademark cases
• Respond professionally and constructively to requests from timekeepers and staff regarding docketed dates, foreign and domestic agency rules and regulations
• Collaborate with Docketing, Risk, IP PSC, and other firm leadership to continually improve the firm’s docketing best practices, policies, and processes
• Process abandoned and transferred matters and assist with onboarding of incoming portfolios
• Oversee quality assurance review for patent and trademark filings by noting and referring any errors or omissions observed during the normal course of docketing duties
• Open new matters and input records into IP Docketing system, PattsyWave, for both foreign and domestic patent, trademark, and copyright cases
• Review all correspondence pertaining to IP prosecution and enter all due dates contained in incoming correspondence, including faxes and emails, into the docketing system
• Assist with special projects
• Remain current with developments, procedures, and regulations in US and foreign filing entities
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 2-year degree or Paralegal Certificate required; 4-year degree preferred in a related field
• 10+ years of IP docketing experience with specific proficiency using IP docketing software such as PattsyWave, Foundation IP, or CPi
• Advanced knowledge of US and foreign patent and trademark prosecution procedures, including statutory and filing deadlines as well as all facets of IP business workflows
• Working knowledge of the Maintenance Fee-Annuity-Renewal processes for patent and trademark modules
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe, DMS systems such as NetDocs; ability to prepare, export, edit, filter, sort, search, and reformat large spreadsheets within Excel
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical abilities, research, and resourcefulness
• Ability to adapt to change and balance competing demands in a fast-paced environment
• Keep current with USPTO, PCT, Madrid Protocol, and Foreign IP rules and practices

Pay

The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:

• State of California: $70,000 - $142,000
• State of Colorado: $64,000 - $114,000
• State of Illinois: $63,000 - $122,000
• State of Maine: $47,000 - $109,000
• State of Maryland: $68,000 - $102,000
• State of Massachusetts: $70,000 - $133,000
• State of Minnesota: $70,000 - $115,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $76,000 - $137,000
• State of New York: $65,000 - $140,000
• State of Vermont: $69,000 - $132,000
• State of Virginia: $45,000 - $132,000
• State of Washington: $68,000 - $128,000
• Washington, D.C.: $90,000 - $132,000

Bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed and dependent upon individual and firm performance.

Benefits

Full-time employees receive the following benefits:

• Medical and dental coverage
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses
• Employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements