Patent Analyst

Kilpatrick, a large international law firm, is seeking a Patent Analyst for our Intellectual Property Department in our Winston-Salem, NC office. This position will be part of our team of attorneys, paralegals and support staff providing a high level of service to both internal and external clients. At Kilpatrick we are one team where each person plays an integral role in serving the needs of our clients. The firm has a strong dedication to its employees, values, and commitment to the community.

The Patent Analyst works as part of a team under the supervision of the Patent Supervisor to provide patent prosecution within the Center of Excellence for Support (COES). Principal responsibilities are to provide patent prosecution task and project support to attorneys, paralegals, clients, and other team members as well as handle defined billable tasks while assuming ownership of their assigned workload.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide patent prosecution staff support for attorneys, paralegals, patent specialists, and stakeholders.
• Assist with preparing attorney and client reminders and generating reports to ensure deadlines are timely met.
• Provide task support for preparing formalities-related documents, including Declarations, Powers of Attorney, Assignments, and change requests for filing at the USPTO and for foreign agent filings; record ownership documents with the USPTO and other foreign offices; facilitate client signatures using secure software, and memorializing and tracking formalities projects.
• Support IDS management including but not limited to reference management (marking, tracking, and auditing), preparing Information Disclosure Statements (IDS) for submission to the USPTO, collaborate with vendors to coordinate reference management and IDS packages, and filing documents for submission to the USPTO.
• Draft correspondence and notifications to clients for reporting, including publications, recordation of assignments, office actions, IDS, Missing Parts, Petitions, Notice of Allowances, the status of matters, and more.
• Upload, report, and file documents and communications in client IP management systems, ensuring updates and communications are timely reported in alignment with client and Firm expectations.
• Provide overflow support for drafting office action shell responses, and other PTO responses, ensuring timely review and filing by attorneys, paralegals, and patent specialists.
• Perform post-grant tasks including patent proofreading, PTA calculations, reporting letters patents to client, and confirming correspondence and/fee addresses have been changed where applicable.
• Support attorneys, paralegals, and specialists in managing docketed deadlines, and ensure timely task completion and follow-ups to prevent missed deadlines.
• Organize and file documents and emails in the Firm's document management system (iManage), according to established protocols.
• Handle patent related administrative tasks as requested by patent team members and/or as part of the process for the owned task.
• Provide support for managing the lifecycle of tasks handled by a vendor/third party and serve as the go-between providing materials to the vendors for handling tasks and projects, reviewing of the materials, providing request to correct materials, and forwarding to attorneys, paralegals, and patent specialists for processing and filing.
• Handle patent projects as assigned such as but not limited to, updating patent reports for clients, updating portfolio reports, auditing patent matters, supporting pro bono patent matter tasks, matter completion and closure, transfers, disengagements, and more.
• Work on various other projects as needed both administrative and legal.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of US patent prosecution or other areas of law preferred.
• The position requires excellent attention to detail, strong organizational and prioritization skills, and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• The ideal candidate will be highly adaptable, proactive, and have a high level of analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft products and comfort level with technology are essential.
• The ability to work both independently and in a team, environment is a must.
• Strong customer service orientation and oral and written communication skills to effectively interact with all tiers of personnel and clients are integral.
• Must be willing to collaborate with others and take on assignments.
• Ability to compose routine correspondence.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Should have ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Ability to perform well under pressure.
• Respectful to other individuals working directly or indirectly with them.
• Reliable and dependable team player.
• Must be a good planner who is very detail-oriented and can organize and prioritize.
• Should be action and results oriented.
• Must have effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative to move projects to conclusion.
• Must have sense of urgency relating to client requests and should be able to meet deadlines

This is a full-time, regular position with a multi-faceted health benefit package including medical, dental, and vision. The firm also offers life insurance, short term disability plans and retirement plans in addition to holidays and paid time off. The firm offers hybrid work schedules combining in office work days as well as remote work days. The pay range for this position in North Carolina only is $23.07 to $34.35 per hour.

Selected applicants will be contacted. Kilpatrick is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about our firm, please visit our website at www.ktslaw.com.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex or gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities