Patent Docket Specialist

Morrison Foerster LLP, an Am Law 50 law firm with 18 offices worldwide, has an opening for a Patent Docket Specialist within our Patent Support Department in Austin, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami , New York, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco , or Washington office.

The Opportunity

Under general supervision, provides US and foreign filing docket services for the Patent Group, ensuring integrity and accuracy of the docket function.

Dockets dates and deadlines, de-dockets completed items, and prepares responsive docket reports. Assists on special projects, researching and analyzing relevant issues.

Ensures client service and satisfaction are attained in all areas of the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Client Service

• Consistently promote and model the Firm's Client Service Principles in teamwork, work product, and personal interaction.
• Ensure exemplary client service to all internal and external clients; proactively promote client service throughout department and among teams;

respond to peer requests with recognition that request serves a client or Firm need.

US and Foreign Filing Docketing

Docket incoming US Patent Trademark Office and foreign filing mail into docketing database; double checking for accuracy.

Write effective notes into the database to ensure shared knowledge and historical reference. Routinely apply judgment to ensure that risk management is safeguarded and docket data is complete and reliable.

Manage all forms of correspondence is accurately entered into the database and record keeping ; analyze and review mail where response dates are not apparent or where contingencies may exist;

report issues and findings to appropriate attorneys and staff.

Act as resource to attorneys and staff, providing docketing guidance and expertise. Regularly and effectively communicate docket standards, protocols, and procedures to ensure understanding and compliance within department.

De-Docketing

• Review outgoing filings; de-docket relevant dates in docketing database; forecast and enter next action.
• Ensure that any discrepancies in docket dates and responses are appropriately resolved and corrected.
• Review relevant documents, such as letters, faxes, email, etc., relating to foreign filing responses and de-docket as appropriate;

follow though with foreign filing specialists and department members as necessary.

Reporting and Analysis

• Generate regular docket reports and distribute to department members.
• Review and follow through on updates to docket report as identified by department members; input updates into docketing database.
• Prepare ad hoc docket reports for department members and clients, customizing as appropriate. Collaborate closely with department members to ensure that client reports are formatted and prepared to meet client needs.

Special Projects

Collaborating and assist in the regular review and assessment of docketing procedures; participate in and coordinate updates to procedures;

develop responsive procedural changes.

• Assist with periodic docket audits and proactively respond to underlying issues.
• Participate in special projects involving docket function or that require docket expertise, historical knowledge, etc.
• Provide in-depth, detailed, and analytical research on docket-related issues and questions; follow through on findings;

propose and implement measures as appropriate to improve processes to reduce future risk.

Workflow Management and Quality Control

• Scrupulously review all work product to ensure highest accuracy; routinely apply techniques and procedures to mange details, often working under critical deadlines.
• Actively prioritize work responding to deadlines and changing critical needs.

Professional Development

• Remain current in industry trends in patent docketing; proactively expand knowledge of procedures, laws, and nuances related to docketing.
• Ensure expertise in technology relevant to the position; proactively use most current technology to further teamwork, client service, and efficiency.

Confidentiality

Ensure compliance with the Firm’s Confidentiality Policy, including safeguarding confidential and personal information, and reporting any suspected breach appropriately and immediately.

Safety Practices

Adhere to the Firm’s General Safety Practices and any unique safety practices for department and building.

Ideal Candidate

Education and Experience

Minimum three to five years of patent docketing experience preferred.

Teamwork and Applied Skills

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively and to prioritize under pressure; ability to meet deadlines under sometimes stressful conditions.
• Ability to prepare accurate, highly detailed work; excellent proofreading skills.
• Advanced analytical and information gathering skills; ability to evaluate and prioritize extensive, detailed data.
• Ability to exchange information and to present ideas, report facts and other information concisely.
• A highly proactive, solution-oriented approach to work and team interaction.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word.
• Availability to work overtime; flexibility regarding work schedule.

Who We Are

At Morrison Foerster, our culture is defined by our deeds. We’re passionate about what we do. We’re equally passionate about how we do it.

We resist hierarchies and operate within a model of respect for our colleagues, their ideas, and the differences that make us stronger.

We encourage you to learn more about who we are, and what we do .