Patent Client Services Administrator

Job Description Summary:

The Patent Client Services Administrator will be responsible for managing portfolios for the firm’s patent group clients. The Administrator will ensure quality service and will maintain a harmonious working relationship with lawyers, management, supervisors, co-workers, and clients by ensuring effective and efficient workflows and working ahead of all deadlines.

This position can be based in any of our U.S. office locations and offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring one day on‑site per week in office, with the possibility of additional required in‑office days depending on business and client needs. The work schedule for this position (non‑exempt) will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with flexibility and the ability to work overtime as needed.

Job Description:

• Assist with the drafting and e-filing of various legal documents in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) related to patent prosecution of applications including, but not limited to, office action amendments and responses, requests for continued examination, continuation and divisional applications, information disclosure statements, supplemental application data sheets, sequence listings, extensions of time, terminal disclaimers, various petitions, notices of appeal, appeal briefs, corrected drawings, assignment recordations, post-grant proceedings and other documents as required.

• Serve as an expert for specific client requirements and needs for filing and reporting of documents, including the use of various client extranets and secure data sites.

• Format utility/provisional specifications for filing in the USPTO and have the ability to develop and maintain structural and formatting requirements as outlined in the MPEP.

• Draft, prepare and proofread written correspondence involving emails, memoranda and/or other documentation to internal personnel, clients and/or assignees.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of patent rules and regulations.

• Review and maintain docket calendars for assigned clients, independently calculate docket dates as a second review, and coordinate with docketing personnel to ensure accuracy of the docket and compliance with due dates.

• Utilize and follow all Fenwick IP specific workflow processes and procedures to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of work.

• Prepare client reports as requested.

• Maintain file integrity of electronic documents and correspondence.

• Serve as a back-up to team members as required.

• Flexible and dependable with the ability to work overtime as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Proficiency in navigating some or all of the following USPTO platforms: Patent Center, WIPO, Assignment Center and PTO Financial Manager.

• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. Patents.

• Must have experience in preparing complex IDSs and stay abreast of all related rules and processes including citing references correctly.

• Must have strong knowledge of IP docketing systems.

• Multitask in a highly demanding, deadline-driven environment.

• Possess a high level of attention to detail.

• Take initiative and work both independently and in a team environment.

• Ability to proofread typed material for grammatical, typographical and spelling errors.

• Ability to type standard correspondence, memoranda and similar material in draft or final form from written material or dictation.

• Exemplary client service skills, with the ability to interact with various departments, all levels of firm executive personnel, vendors and contractors.

• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.

• Maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

• Promote effective work practices, work as a team member, and show respect for all firm personnel.

• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

Reporting to the Patent Client Services Manager, the ideal candidate will have a minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience in a patent prosecution practice. Experience in a law firm setting is strongly preferred.

Benefits and Compensation Details:

At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing. Except as otherwise required by law, temporary employees are generally not entitled to these benefits.

The anticipated range for this position is:

$111,900 - $148,875

Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.

About Us

Our Story

For more than five decades, Fenwick & West has helped some of the world’s most recognized companies become, and remain, market leaders. From emerging enterprises to large public corporations, our clients are leaders in the technology, life sciences and cleantech sectors and are fundamentally changing the world through rapid innovation.

Having worked alongside such progressive and cutting edge companies for so long, our culture has come to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of our client base. Unlike traditional law firms, we move at our clients’ speed and have earned the reputation as a go-to law firm for growing companies that need insightful, strategic counsel to help tackle the challenging issues that arise when the law cannot keep up with their pace of innovation.

With the same passion for excellence and innovation reflected in our client base, our firm is making revolutionary changes to the practice of law through substantial investments in proprietary technology tools and processes. Our clients demand—and deserve—new ways to receive best-in-class legal services more effectively. At Fenwick, we are proud to be shaping our legal services to do just that.​​​​​​ We are proud to have been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area for the twelfth year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fenwick & West LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and, as such, conducts all employment-related activities without regard to unlawful consideration of race, religion, color, marital status, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, gender, genetic characteristics or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal employment discrimination laws. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, please contact recruiting@fenwick.com or staffrecruiting@fenwick.com.

Agency Submissions

At the discretion of the recruiting department, we accept submissions by agency recruiters when a fee agreement has been established between the firm and the agency. Agency recruiters, please submit candidates here.

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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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