Senior IP Assistant / Patent Paralegal

Location: Irvine, CA (Orange County)

Work Model: Hybrid

Practice Group: Intellectual Property

The Opportunity

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Compensation & Benefits

• 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