Overview: Responsible for managing high-volume patent and trademark deadlines, maintaining accurate docket records, and ensuring full compliance with U.S. and international filing requirements.
This is a high-visibility, deadline-driven role requiring precision, accountability, and strong technical understanding of IP processes.
***Parking assistance is NOT provided so candidates are responsible for their own parking arrangements and costs. THIS IS A HYBRID POSITION.***
DO NOT APPLY IF:
- You do not have direct IP docketing experience
- You have only general legal assistant or paralegal experience without docketing regarding trademarks and patents specifically!
- You are not familiar with the United States Patent and Trademark Organization or the World Intellectual Property Organization, and their processes
- You are seeking fully remote work
- You are unwilling to commute to Downtown Pittsburgh on a consistent, hybrid work environment, basis
MUST HAVE'S: DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- 2+ years of IP docketing experience REQUIRED
- Strong knowledge of U.S. and international patent/trademark prosecution
- Prior experience using docketing systems (CPI, FIP, or similar)
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
DUTIES:
- Review, docket, and distribute incoming correspondence from USPTO, WIPO, and foreign associates
- Maintain and update docketing systems based on filings, confirmations, and attorney instructions
- Conduct routine status checks on pending patent and trademark matters
Pay: $60,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
- Work from home
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 2 years of direct IP docketing experience (patent and/or trademark)? (General legal assistant or paralegal experience without docketing does NOT qualify so please discard application if your experience is WITHOUT direct IP docketing).
- Which docketing systems have you used in a professional setting? (CPI, FoundationIP, other – list all and years of use)
- Describe your experience working with USPTO and/or WIPO filings and deadlines.
- Walk through how you would docket a USPTO Office Action, including how you calculate and track the deadline.
- Approximately how many active matters or deadlines have you managed at one time?
- This role requires high-volume, repetitive, detail-heavy work with zero error tolerance. Are you comfortable with that environment?
- Describe your process for prioritizing multiple urgent deadlines in the same day.
- Have you ever missed a deadline in a docketing or legal support role? If yes, explain what happened.
- Are you able to work hybrid in Pittsburgh and pay for your own parking?
- Have you successfully completed ALL screening questions? If not, your application will NOT be viewed. Any incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
Education:
Work Location: In person
