The Patent Paralegal supports the company's intellectual property initiatives by promoting team member engagement in innovation and IP capture programs. This role provides legal and administrative support in the preparation and filing of patent-related documents, ensuring compliance with applicable patent laws and USPTO procedures. The Patent Paralegal also serves as a liaison between the company's legal team, outside counsel, and external organizations to facilitate efficient management of intellectual property matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Collaborate across the company to encourage and capture new innovations for invention submissions
• Assist company inventors in submitting invention disclosures
• Coordinate, promote and facilitate company-wide innovation events
• Coordinate IP committee meetings including generating agendas, meeting minutes and follow-ups
• Prepare and file USPTO submissions (ADS, declarations, assignment recordation's, IDSs)
• Review incoming correspondence and enclosed documents from outside counsel for accuracy
• Track deadlines and pay for annuities and maintenance fees
• Monitor patent prosecution deadlines and coordinate with outside counsel to ensure timely responses and filings
• Coordinate domestic and international patent filing activities with outside counsel and foreign associates.
• Maintain patent portfolio records and generate status reports for the legal team.
• Review and process patent-related invoices and assist with budget tracking.
• Coordinate execution and recordation of inventor assignments and other IP-related documents.
• Track invention disclosures and maintain innovation program metrics and reporting.
• Assist with IP education, communications, and training initiatives across the company.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to be a self-starter, seek new and better methods, and work with minimum supervision
• Demonstrates deep expertise in high-level professional and best practices
• Ability to collaborate within a Team environment and across functions
• Capability to discern relevant facts and in turn, effectively resolve issues by making good decisions (compliance, quality, integrity, ethics, and critical thinking ability)
• Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced goal-oriented environment
• Demonstrates the understanding of deadlines and time limits, ability to accomplish goals, and the desire to win

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience Required:

• Associate or bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Paralegal certification
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a patent paralegal, preferably in a public company or law firm
• Familiarity with patent search and patent docketing tools
• Demonstrated skills in standard MS Office suite: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Ability to work independently

Preferred:

• Knowledge of software related to legal activities
• Training experience
• Medical device experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and networking abilities

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Indoor open office environment
• Minimal noise volume typical to an office environment
• Extended hours when needed

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent repetitive motions that may include wrists, hands and/or fingers, such as keyboard and mouse usage
• Frequent stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Frequent computer, phone and other business machine use
• Occasional lifting required, up to 10 pounds

TRAVEL

• Occasional travel may be required, less than 5 %

OTHER DUTIES:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Team Member. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

BENEFITS:

Kestra offers a very competitive benefit package including Medical, Dental, 401K with Match, etc.

Pay equity is an important part of Kestra's Culture. Our compensation ranges are guided by national and local salary surveys and take into consideration experience level and internal equity. Each role is benchmarked based on the job description provided If your qualifications and/or experience level are outside of the posted position, we encourage you to apply as we are growing fast and roles that are coming soon may not be posted.

Salary: Annualized at $95,000 - $100,000 plus bonus. Depending on experience.