Position SummaryThe IP Docketing Supervisor is responsible for leading the docketing team and ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of all patent and trademark docketing activities. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who combines deep IP prosecution docketing expertise with strong people management skills, and who is comfortable driving process improvement and systems change.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and manage docketing staff by assigning work, monitoring workload, setting team priorities, and supporting the training and development of docketing professionals.
- Recruit, onboard, and train new team members; approve timecards and leave requests; coordinate backup coverage; conduct performance reviews; and partner with HR on personnel matters.
- Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of all docketing activities in support of attorneys, business professionals, and clients, in strict adherence to firm policies and applicable rules and deadlines.
- Own and maintain written docketing policies and procedures; monitor changes in U.S. and foreign IP prosecution rules and recommend procedural updates as needed.
- Generate, review, and interpret docketing metrics (volume, turnaround times, past due items, error rates); identify trends and present findings to firm leadership.
- Design and lead periodic audits of docketing data and processes; identify gaps and drive corrective action.
- Coordinate and deliver docketing system onboarding and training for attorneys and business professionals.
- Prepare and oversee client facing reports (portfolio, renewal, and special reports) in coordination with attorneys and business professionals.
- Support the firm's ongoing docketing system migration, including data integrity review and staff training on the new system.
- Manage the intake and transfer of IP portfolios in and out of the firm, including data validation, coordination with outgoing/incoming counsel, and timely, accurate docketing of transferred matters.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of all firm and client information.
Qualifications & ExperienceRequired Qualifications- 8+ years of progressive IP prosecution docketing experience, including experience supervising a docketing team, preferably in a law firm environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-directed, self-motivated, possess strong organizational and time management skills, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills, and work with a high level of professionalism.
- Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent and trademark prosecution from inception through completion.
- Proficiency with IP docketing/management systems (e.g., CPI, PATTSY, Anaqua, or similar).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).
- Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing team.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills; sound judgment and discretion.
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
Education- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
This is a hybrid role and will require 1-2 days in office per week. The salary ranges for this position vary depending on the geographic location and other factors such as experience, internal equity, market data, and job-related considerations. The range for this position is from $90,00 - $115,000, with offers contingent upon the various factors. The firm's compensation strategy includes not just a base salary but also comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, discretionary merit bonuses, life and disability insurance, retirement plans and tailored learning opportunities.
