Legal Assistant​/Paralegal

Our growing Intellectual Property (IP) team is seeking a detail‑oriented and proactive Senior IP Assistant or Patent Paralegal to join a dynamic patent practice in the Irvine office. This role works closely with attorneys, staff, and clients and supports a broad range of patent prosecution and portfolio management responsibilities, both domestic and international.

The ideal candidate takes ownership of their work, demonstrates exceptional follow‑through, and thrives in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.

• Prepare, file, and prosecute U.S. and foreign patent applications, including provisional, non‑provisional, PCT, and national‑stage filings
• Manage patent prosecution matters from filing through allowance, issuance, and maintenance
• Coordinate with foreign counsel on international patent applications and respond to filing and prosecution requirements
• Draft and file USPTO documents, including Office Action responses, Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), amendments, and formalities
• Correspond with clients regarding USPTO and foreign patent office communications, deadlines, and status updates
• Manage an active patent prosecution docket, working closely with supervising attorneys and docketing teams to ensure compliance with all deadlines
• Assist with post‑issuance matters, including maintenance fee payments, patent term adjustments, and portfolio reporting
• Support due diligence, patent analytics, and portfolio management projects as needed
• Track and enter time spent on billable projects and assist with other billable and non‑billable tasks, including providing coverage for team absences

• 4+ years of law firm experience with a focus on patent prosecution
• Experience with both U.S. and international patent prosecution strongly preferred
• Life Sciences experience is a plus
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Experience using online legal research tools and IP databases
• Familiarity with USPTO patent systems, including Patent Center, PAIR, EFS‑Web (legacy), and MyUSPTO, strongly preferred
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive
• Positive, team‑oriented approach with a strong commitment to client service
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $120,000 annually, depending on experience
• Significant bonus opportunities available for IP Assistants and Paralegals
• Hybrid work environment and collaborative team culture

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles  Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.