DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center (https://mandatoryview.com/?LicenceId=09b17fa3-b781-4022-bfdd-ec61a570463c&ProductType=OnlineApplicant) .

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

If you are a highly talented Paralegal Specialist interested in supporting our staff, attorneys, clients and outside vendors we want to hear from you!

This position is remote, but candidates will be based in the Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, or Phoenix office and should reside within reasonable commuting distance to the home office as occasional in-person meetings will be necessary.

Relocation is available in accordance with firm policy.

Paralegals are a critical part of DLA Piper’s client service teams, working side by side with lawyers, co-counsel and clients on an array of substantive client matters. The majority of our paralegals are career professionals. They work independently and on teams, locally, nationally and globally.

The paralegal team itself includes Case Assistants, Paralegals, Senior Paralegals and Paralegal Specialists. We offer ample opportunities for advancement and career development through formal and informal training and mentoring and provide many opportunities to give back to our communities through pro bono work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Paralegal Certificate

• 10 years as a Patent Paralegal

• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

• Understanding of patent prosecution life cycle, domestic patent applications filings, as well as prior art and preparation of Information

• Disclosure Statement for domestic filings.

• Must be able to prepare foreign and domestic Powers and Attorneys and Assignments, including knowledge of legalization, certification, and apostille requirements.

• Ability to conduct domestic and foreign patent searches.

• Knowledge of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) requirements.

Preferred Requirements:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

• Fluent knowledge of PCT rules and requirements (including Sequence listing requirements)

• National/Regional Phase Entry of PCT Applications and Related Formalities (including initial form 3 filing in India)

• Non-Substantive Official Actions in Foreign Jurisdictions (e.g., requiring new figures or the correction of non-substantive errors in the specification)

• Direct Foreign Filings (e.g., non-PCT countries) and Related Formalities

• Changes Related to Formalities - Updating the foreign associates with changes related to the ownership of the application, the name of the Applicant, the identity/addresses of inventors, etc. Obtaining new executed formal documents if necessary as the result of such changes.

• Hong Kong (Phase I and Phase II - Requirements)

• Brazilian ANVISA Notifications

• Brazilian Heritage Responses (in instances where a response is required)

• PCT Applications (foreign filing conversion reminders) and reporting PCT notices - follow up on PCT POAs from client Sequence Listings.

• Knowledge of various filing platforms and databases such as ePCT, USPTO Patent Center, EPO Register, etc.

• Large firm experience

What will your day look like?

A typical day will consist of reviewing and managing daily docket reports, drafting various documents such as foreign filing/conversion reminder letters, preparing PCT applications and filing the applications via ePCT, obtaining national phase patent filing estimates using Global IP Estimator and translation estimates from our preferred vendors. Drafting national phase instruction letters to foreign associates, forwarding formal documents related to national phase filings to clients for execution and return to foreign associates, etc. You will also may be responsible for assisting in the research of chain of title, patent prosecution history, and patent family relationships if there is a diligence project that requires it. Additionally, you will serve as a front-line liaison between clients, inventors, outside counsel, and foreign associates.

To learn more about DLA Piper, please visit our website (https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us/) .

We offer exceptional career opportunities in an environment that is challenging, rewarding, and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. Our employees enjoy a competitive benefits package and a dynamic and diverse environment in which they can build a long and fruitful career and reap the rewards of their success.

General & Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;

• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;

• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;

• Foster positive work relationships;

• Comply with all firm policies and practices;

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Other Requirements

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

The expected pay range for this position, if hired to work in Los Angeles, San Diego or Seattle is $59.63 - $88.70 per hour. If hired to work in Palo Alto or San Francisco the expected pay range is $65.05 - $96.76 per hour. Non-exempt positions will be paid on an hourly basis and paid overtime in accordance with applicable laws. The compensation offered to a candidate selected for employment will be dependent upon various factors, including the candidate’s geographic market, skills, educational and professional background, experience, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Application Process:

If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process or have any questions about the process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com . Please add noreply@dlapipercareers.us to your list of safe senders.

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.   

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

Agency applications will not be considered.  

Job: Paralegal

Organization: Intellectual Property & Tech

Title: IP/Patent Paralegal Specialist

Location: California-San Diego

Requisition ID: 23000613

Other Locations: United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-California-Palo Alto, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-San Francisco