Intellectual Property Development Specialist

General Purpose:

The Intellectual Property Development Specialist provides advanced administrative, technical, and strategic support for patent prosecution and portfolio management within the firm's electronics-focused practice. This role combines patent administration expertise with automation development capabilities to create practical workflow solutions that enhance efficiency and support patent attorneys. The Intellectual Property Development Specialist serves as a key contributor to practice group technology strategy and requires strong organizational skills, technical proficiency, deep knowledge of IP processes, and the ability to mentor junior team members.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Patent Administration & Docket Management

• Supports and advises patent attorneys in docket and practice management, including providing strategic recommendations for workflow improvements, client deadline tracking, auditing, report generation, and special requests
• Manages a range of duties related to internal electronic file systems, including quality control, process optimization, document repository, and matter tracking
• Performs electronic filings at the USPTO, PCT, and with foreign associates
• Reviews formalities of filed patent documents to ensure proper form (Filing Receipts, Declarations, Recordings, Information Disclosure Statements, allowed patents ready to issue, etc.)
• Manages new client intake and opening of matters

Automation Development & Technical Solutions

• Acts as a lead liaison with developers, AI task force, and end-users, driving adoption and implementation of new technologies
• Leads efforts to inform, set, and implement AI and technology strategy for the practice group, including evaluating emerging technologies and making recommendations to leadership
• Serves as the primary subject matter expert (SME) and go-to technical resource for cross-functional teams, providing timely, authoritative guidance and resolving complex inquiries to accelerate project delivery and team efficiency
• Designs and creates automated and other practical workflow solutions to support patent attorneys, with responsibility for end-to-end project management
• Develops automation solutions for administrative and practitioner tasks
• Writes clear, maintainable, performant code
• Leads discovery sessions with team members to identify areas for automation implementation and prioritize development initiatives
• Partners with IT department leadership to effectively implement, maintain, and scale automation solutions across the practice group
• Thinks clearly and creatively to solve technical problems and workflow challenges
• Continuously seeks to maximize the efficient use of technology available and strives to make tasks easier and more efficient

Document Preparation & Templates

• Performs various tasks associated with the preparation and prosecution of patent applications
• Generates templates for patent applications and responses to various Office Actions (including but not limited to: Filing Receipt, Notice to File Missing Parts, Response to Office Action, Notice of Publication, Notice of Allowance, Issue Notification, and Letters Patent) as they relate to correspondence/filing with USPTO, PCT, and foreign associates
• Prepares additional templates for various legal documents (Declaration, Powers of Attorney, Assignments)
• Drafts non-substantive IP documents (cover letters, transmittals, reporting letters)

Client Relations & Support

• Manages new client onboarding for patent matters
• Addresses user feedback and issues in a timely manner
• Works autonomously to mentor, train and assist new hires and existing team members with automated processes and best practices
• Develops and delivers training sessions that build capability and drive adoption of new processes and tools
• Performs various patent support and administrative tasks as needed

Competencies:

• Communication: Understands the importance of and demonstrates verbal, written, and non-verbal communications.
• Customer/Client Experience: Creates a consistent and exceptional experience for others, whether directly to external clients/customers or indirectly through internal support, that elevates the overall perception of the firm.
• Job Knowledge & Technical Skill: Demonstrates an understanding of objectives, duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the job with exceptional quality work.
• Team Player: Works within team and cross-functionally to meet required results.

Supervisory Duties (if applicable):

N/A

Billable Hour Expectancy:

N/A

Job Qualifications (Education, Experience and Certification):

Education

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university required

Experience

• Five (5) + years in IP administration or patent/trademark support within a law firm or corporate IP department required
• One (1) + year automation development experience required
• Paralegal or patent prosecution experience is not required

Advanced Abilities

• Ability to quickly learn and comprehend complex concepts and processes
• Makes independent decisions on complex matters with minimal supervision within established guidelines
• Manages multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Thinks critically to understand how each task fits into a broader workflow
• Identifies and implements process improvement opportunities, measuring impact and reporting results to leadership
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and proofreading skills
• Possesses a strong work ethic and prefers to keep busy
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority

Specialized Knowledge

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are requirements; Visio is a plus) and Adobe Acrobat
• Familiarity with USPTO and WIPO filing systems (EFS-Web, TEAS)Knowledge of IP portfolio management best practices
• Understanding of patent prosecution strategy
• Automation development and coding proficiency

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must have the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for extended periods of time; manipulate (lift, carry, move) weights of at least ten (10) pounds; have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement to work on a computer and/or related office equipment; speak clearly and concisely so listeners can understand; and regularly understand the speech of another person.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:

Professional office atmosphere. Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting or standing for prolonged periods. Position may require occasional extended hours to complete high demand work and occasional travel to other offices as needed.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those this position may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note:

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Compensation:

Holland & Hart offers of employment take into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. The Colorado and Utah salary range is $69,375 - $115,625 per year. A discretionary bonus may be available based upon performance.

Application Window:

The application window is anticipated to close on or after Monday, October 19, 2026. Holland & Hart reserves the right to close the position prior to or after this date.

Benefits:

Holland & Hart works hard to promote work/life balance with a 37.5-hour scheduled work week for most staff employees, a robust wellness program, and generous PTO and holiday pay for eligible employees. Full-time employees become eligible for benefits on the date hire, with a benefits offering that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD. Also available are voluntary income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident, critical illness, and long-term care insurances, as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. In addition, the firm has programs that may provide for educational assistance, free or discounted legal services, and opportunities through the Holland & Hart Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating volunteer opportunities for lawyers, staff, families, and friends of Holland & Hart LLP. Part-time employees may have access to some of these benefits, which may be on a pro-rated basis.