IP Prosecution Manager

Greenberg Traurig (GT), a global law firm, has an exciting full-time employment opportunity for an IP Prosecution Manager in our Boston office. We offer competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package

Position Summary:

The IP Prosecution Manager plans, organizes, and oversees the practices and policies, workflow, training, and compliance for the patent prosecution department in Boston in collaboration with local Patent Prosecution Chairs and Business Director.  The Patent Prosecution Manager will demonstrate a high degree of technical knowledge in domestic and foreign prosecution matters and have prior experience leading and managing a team of patent professionals to performance excellence.

Duties & Responsibilities:

IP Prosecution Responsibilities

• Works closely with department chairs, attorneys, paralegals, and support staff to provide organizational and practice specific support by overseeing all domestic and foreign patent filing processes and procedures, including best practices, checklists, related documents, research, analysis, and e-filings.
• Assists department chairs with the assessment of and improvements of IP Prosecution processes and procedures, workflow, training, and compliance. 
• Monitors deadlines, progress, and quality of work generated by assigned team members.
• Manages Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) docket deadlines for department and oversees the assignment and preparation of IDSs and accompanying documents. 
• Attends weekly docket meetings for department and assigns or reassigns matters to assigned team members.
• Serves as point person for department with internal patent/trademark docketing group and external docketing system, Anaqua.
• Assists with file intake and transfer process for records and files for department, including on-going audit of files, databases, and dockets. 
• Maintains and updates USPTO patent center database and prepares responses as needed for department.
• Assists with updating USPTO account for department and communicates system changes to department in a timely manner. 
• Assists with other department activities as needed, including a wide range of research and performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Assists with U.S. and/or PCT filings, as needed.

Team Management Responsibilities

• Leads and manages a team of paralegals and support staff, including overseeing compliance with department and firm policies and procedures, assignments of workload, productivity, and quality of work product. 
• Provides regular feedback, training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for assigned team members.
• Fosters a team spirit by building trust and bonds with team members through open and transparent communications, role modeling, relationship building strategies, and recognition of team member contributions. 
• Participates in the recruitment and selection process of potential paralegal or support staff new hires for department. 
• Prepares annual performance evaluations of reporting team members.
• Reviews and approves time sheets, requests for time off, and coordinates coverage for reporting team members.

Skills & Competencies:

• Expertise in domestic and foreign patent prosecution laws, regulations, and U.S. Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) procedures, rules, and requirements. 
• High level of computer proficiency in Windows-based software and Microsoft Office Suite applications, Adobe Acrobat, time and billing applications, U.S. Patent Office Electronic Filing System, and other internet research tools.
• Experience with Anaqua or other IP docketing systems.
• Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards driving results for department and team.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve issues while exhibiting good reason and judgement.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), professional demeanor, and team building skills.
• Maintains high standards by exhibiting strong organizational and attention to detail skills.
• Works effectively in a team environment and displays respect for department members and fellow employees; promotes a cooperative and collaborative work environment.
• Recognize confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information and maintain such information as confidential.

Qualifications & Prior Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in a relevant technical field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in patent prosecution as a paralegal, technology specialist or comparable position in a law firm or in-house legal department.
• Minimum of 3 years in a managerial or supervisory role. 
• Flexibility and ability to work in-office. 

Greenberg Traurig is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Greenberg Traurig are considered without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, among other protected bases.

Exemplifying our commitment to promoting inclusion and equity across our platform, the firm participates in the Mansfield Rule Certification Program (Mansfield). Mansfield, which is facilitated by The Diversity Lab, focuses on equal opportunity, fairness, and inclusivity. The Mansfield requirements are anchored in the consideration of expanded talent pools considered for select positions and open roles within the law firm and the implementation of and access to transparent processes. Utilizing the Mansfield framework, the firm’s progress and outcomes are measured and documented through Mansfield Certification Plus Metrics. In 2023, GT achieved Mansfield 6.0 Certification Plus. We are excited about our ongoing participation in Mansfield given the program’s alignment with the firm’s commitment to opportunities for advancement that are inclusive for everyone. Providing your data during the application process helps us with achieving our goals and with meeting reporting/record-keeping obligations under federal and state law and other legal requirements. Providing your data is entirely voluntary and will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be treated confidentially.