Senior IP Docket Specialist

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 foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our firm and communities better.

About the role

The Senior Intellectual Property (“IP”) Docket Specialist is responsible for monitoring assigned shared mailboxes and related docket requests, ensuring timely and accurate 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 office 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 to identify and docket all deadlines
• Review USPTO and foreign filings and double-check accuracy via agency websites as necessary
• De-docket completed deadlines and verify accuracy of docketed and de-docketed items
• Resolve discrepancies in docketed items
• 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 to requests regarding docketed dates, foreign and domestic agency rules, and regulations
• Collaborate with Docketing, Risk, IP PSC, and firm leadership to improve 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, noting and referring errors or omissions
• Open new matters and input records into IP Docketing system (PattsyWave) for foreign and domestic patent, trademark, and copyright cases
• Review all IP prosecution correspondence and enter due dates from incoming correspondence into the docketing system
• Assist with special projects
• Remain current with developments, procedures, and regulations in US and foreign filing entities
• Perform 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 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
• Working knowledge of Maintenance Fee-Annuity-Renewal processes for patent and trademark modules
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and DMS systems such as NetDocs
• Ability to prepare, export, edit, filter, sort, search, and reformat large spreadsheets in Excel
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical abilities, research skills, and resourcefulness
• Ability to adapt to change and balance competing demands in a fast-paced environment
• Stay current with USPTO, PCT, Madrid Protocol, and Foreign IP rules and practices

Pay

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 medical and dependent care expenses
• Employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off and paid holidays
• Retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements