Intellectual Property Administrator

The Intellectual Property (IP) Administrator provides strategic management support to ensure that the IP practice functions in a consistent and productive manner and is responsive and proactive in identifying needs related to the practice and its role in the overall firm operations.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of all IP workflows across multiple staffing groups and cross-departmentally (Operations, Accounting, Human Capital, Information Services). Combines that understanding with a detailed knowledge of patent and trademark prosecution rules and procedures, IP trends, evolving industry resources, best practices, and anticipation of and response to client needs to recommend efficient and risk managed workflows, obtain IP prosecution partner consensus, and implement initiatives to continually advance the prosecution practice.
• Leads and manages a team of IP professionals responsible for supporting the IP attorneys/agents.
• Develops, coaches, and counsels IP managers through daily interactions and delegation of projects to provide a high level of accurate, production-based, efficient service to internal and external clients, and maintain detailed records of performance management activities for the purpose of providing routine and annual performance feedback.
• Collaborates with HR, Practice Managers, and Practice Group Leaders on performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, compensation recommendations, and development plans.
• Serves an integral role in the hiring process for the IP Staff. Works closely with the Practice Group Leaders and the recruiting team on updating job descriptions, reviewing and selecting candidates, and participating in the interview process.
• Provides project management leadership support for cross-office and cross-functional projects and initiatives in collaboration with the Department Practice Director, Practice Group Manager(s), and/or IP managers.
• Collaborates closely with the Practice Group Leaders to develop strategic practice group goals and ensure they are being met.
• Coordinates with department Practice Management staff and IP managers on assessing new tools. Provides reports and analytics for IP prosecution and litigation teams regularly; focusing on trends, statistics, and other relevant data related to productivity, volume, processing times, and client service
• Works with managers in other departments to drive the roll-out of firm wide changes (e.g. technological upgrades or accounting changes) across the IP prosecution practice by anticipating special IP prosecution considerations and recommending solutions for effective implementation.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of how to prepare and review work in order to supervise others related to domestic and international patent, trademark and inter-partes matters in all areas of IP prosecution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to implement effective IP prosecution workflows related to the use of accounting systems, docketing systems (FoundationIP), software applications (e.g. MS Office Suite), and Document Management Systems.
• Extensive knowledge of USPTO and international rules, practices, procedures, and products, including e-filing, Patent Center, and TSDR. In-depth knowledge of IP Docketing procedures and software, including at least Foundation IP.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally (in person and in group settings) and in writing, on a prepared and extemporaneous basis with partners, other firm management, staff, and clients.
• Ability to provide quality client service to both internal and external clients and to address administrative issues with legal matters. Ability to use considerable tact, discretion, and persuasion in gaining the consensus and cooperation of others.
• Demonstrated innovative skills, with a growth mindset, strong organizational and time management skills, and current knowledge of industry best practices.

Education

The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience

The position requires a minimum of seven to ten (7-10) years of experience in trademark and, ideally, patent prosecution.

The position requires three to five (3-5) years of managerial/supervisory experience in IP management, with overall supervisory responsibility for management and operation of a large IP Department within an IP law firm, or an IP practice within a general practice law firm.