Patent Prosecution Paralegal
Location: Remote Eligible (Texas Residents Only); North Dallas Office Available
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Remote or In-Office
Required Experience: 3–5 Years of Law Firm Paralegal Experience
Compensation: Based on experience
Search Type: Confidential Law Firm Opportunity
Position Overview
A respected intellectual property law firm is seeking an experienced paralegal to support its patent prosecution practice. The position is remote eligible for qualified candidates residing anywhere in Texas. Candidates who prefer an office-based arrangement may work from the firm’s North Dallas office.
The firm is seeking someone with three to five years of paralegal experience in a law firm environment. This experience does not need to be in intellectual property or patent prosecution. The firm is willing to provide comprehensive patent-prosecution training to the right candidate.
Prior experience working in a physical law firm office is required. The successful candidate should understand the professional standards, attorney-support expectations, deadlines, and collaborative workflow of a law firm and be prepared to apply that experience successfully in either a remote or office-based environment.
Required Qualifications
Three to five years of in-office law firm paralegal experience
Current residence in Texas
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work independently while remaining accessible and collaborative
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills and a team-oriented approach
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat
Strong general technical aptitude and ability to learn new legal systems and procedures
Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion
** Prior intellectual property or patent-prosecution experience is preferred, but not required.
Key Responsibilities
Following training, the paralegal will assist attorneys with patent-prosecution and general practice-support responsibilities, including:
Assist with the preparation and electronic filing of U.S. patent applications
Support attorneys throughout the patent-prosecution process
Review and organize patent applications and related supporting documents
Audit and manage patent portfolios to help ensure compliance with prosecution requirements
Monitor filing dates, response dates, and other critical deadlines
Assist attorneys with preparing responses to USPTO Office Actions
Conduct legal, factual, and procedural research as assigned
Assist with internal document review and analysis
Maintain accurate electronic matter files and supporting documentation
Prepare correspondence, reports, and status updates
Communicate and collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, clients, and other firm personnel
Provide general administrative and practice support to attorneys
Perform additional intellectual property and patent-prosecution duties as training progresses
Preferred Qualifications
Four-year college degree
Prior intellectual property or patent-prosecution exposure
Experience with patent docketing or legal document-management systems
Formal technical training or demonstrated aptitude for technical subject matter
Experience transitioning successfully between different legal practice areas
Demonstrated professional stability and interest in a long-term position
Work Arrangement
Qualified candidates may work remotely from anywhere within Texas or from the firm’s North Dallas office.
Remote employees must maintain a professional workspace, remain available and responsive during established business hours, and collaborate consistently with attorneys and other team members.
Regardless of the arrangement selected, prior experience working in an in-office law firm environment is required. This requirement relates to the candidate’s professional background—not where the candidate must perform this position. The firm is seeking someone who already understands law firm workflows, attorney-support expectations, confidentiality requirements, deadlines, and professional standards.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include:
Health insurance
Dental and vision insurance
Health savings account
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Choice of a remote or North Dallas office-based work arrangement
Training and career development in a specialized intellectual property practice
Confidential Application Process
This confidential search is being conducted by Trend Personnel Services. The client’s identity and additional information will be shared with qualified candidates at the appropriate stage of the recruiting process.
Candidate information will not be submitted to the client without prior discussion and authorization. Paralegals with three to five years of law firm experience are encouraged to apply even if they have not previously worked in intellectual property or patent prosecution.
Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.