Position Title: Patent Prosecution Assistant

Position Type: Full-Time, 100% Remote (U.S.-Based Only)

Target Salary Range: $60,000 – $90,000 per year (commensurate with experience) + Benefits

Hours: Core Business Hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST/CST preferred)

Practice Type: Pure Patent Prosecution (Boutique Patent Prosecution Firm; No Litigation)

About the Firm

We are a specialized, fast-growing small/mid-size intellectual property boutique focused strictly on high-quality patent prosecution. Because we do not handle litigation, our practice is streamlined, organized, and focused on maintaining an accurate, reliable prosecution workflow for our corporate and institutional clients. We operate as a fully remote team and pride ourselves on a collaborative, low-stress, high-efficiency environment.

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented Patent Prosecution Assistant with at least 2 years of dedicated U.S. and PCT patent prosecution experience. The ideal candidate possesses hands-on familiarity with USPTO Patent Center, international filing procedures via WIPO ePCT, and IP docketing software. You will work directly with our team of patent attorneys, docketers, and paralegals to manage application lifecycles from pre-filing through issuance and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• USPTO Filings & Formalities: Independently prepare and file standard USPTO documents, including Application Data Sheets (ADS), Declarations, Powers of Attorney, Assignments, Responses to Office Actions, Notices of Allowance, Issue Fee Payments, and Requests for Continued Examination (RCE).
• Information Disclosure Statements (IDS): Review Office Actions and foreign search reports across related patent families; prepare, track, and cross-cite references on IDSs to ensure full compliance with Duty of Disclosure rules.
• PCT & Foreign Prosecution: Assist with PCT filing preparation (RO/US and WIPO), track national phase entry deadlines (30/31-month), and coordinate directly with foreign associate counsel.
• Docketing & Portfolio Management: Monitor incoming USPTO correspondence daily; maintain accurate docket entries, response windows, and statutory bar dates; perform periodic docket audits.
• Attorney Support: Review client intake materials, flag missing formal documents, draft client status reports, and ensure compliance with strict prosecution deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Education:High school degree or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of direct patent prosecution experience in a law firm environment.
• Systems & Portals: Fluent in USPTO Patent Center, WIPO ePCT, and modern IP docketing platforms (e.g., AppColl, FoundationIP, CPI, or Anaqua).
• Procedural Mastery: Thorough understanding of statutory response windows (1-, 2-, and 3-month extendable periods vs. non-extendable deadlines), Paris Convention 12-month priority windows, and maintenance fee schedules.
• Self-Management: Highly organized, proactive, and capable of prioritizing tasks independently in a remote work setting.
• Communication: Excellent written communication for professional interactions with attorneys, clients, USPTO personnel, and foreign counsel.
• Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Office programs, such as, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity or willingness to learn databases; familiarity with the Internet/Intranet and using the internet for research. Experience with NetDocuments and FoundationIP preferred.
• Other: Excellent attention to detail; Excellent organizational skills and ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks; Flexible attitude and the ability to deal well with changing assignments and priorities and rapid, yet variable, pace of work; Willingness to learn and acquire advanced duties and provide support to varied team members.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Compensation: $60,000 – $90,000 per year
• Benefits: 401k with company match; health, disability, dental, vision insurance; Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account