Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant – Hybrid

Merchant & Gould P.C.

Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant at Merchant & Gould assisting attorneys with patent applications and client communications. Requires strong organization and communication skills with over 5 years of U.S.

Posted 7/11/2026full-timeMinneapolis • Minnesota • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $65,000 - $85,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provides client management support for attorney, not limited to written and verbal communications with clients along with maintaining docket and client specific procedures.
Assists attorney in prosecuting patent applications in the United States and various foreign countries.
Establishes and maintains patent files: opens files, prepares documents for filing including, patent applications, Preliminary Amendments, Information Disclosure Statements, Responses to Missing Parts, Assignments, Amendments, payments of Issue Fees, etc.
Reviews all incoming correspondence from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign associates for essential docketing.

Requirements

What you’ll need

BA degree and/or paralegal certificate or minimum of 5 years experience in U.S. patent prosecution
Familiarity with electronic case management systems and USPTO rules and requirements.
Ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines under supervision of attorney.
High level of responsibility, dedication and accuracy required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

employee medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance
short- and long-term disability
401(k) match
ten firm holidays

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Patent Application PreparationDocket ManagementInformation Disclosure StatementsPreliminary AmendmentsResponses to Missing PartsAssignmentsAmendmentsIssue Fee Payments

Soft Skills

IndependenceDeadline ManagementResponsibilityDedicationAccuracy

Certifications

Paralegal Certificate