Lead Trademark Docketing Specialist
The Lead Trademark Docketing Specialist oversees the entire lifecycle of trademark applications and registrations, ensuring meticulous docketing, effective deadline management, and seamless correspondence processing with the USPTO, clients, and international offices. This role merges exceptional operational skills with leadership responsibilities, including mentoring team members, maintaining quality control, and serving as a go-to resource for complex docketing challenges. The specialist is instrumental in supporting trademark attorneys by managing accurate online records, generating comprehensive portfolio reports, and ensuring adherence to all deadlines while driving process enhancements and fostering team growth.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Review and process extensive volumes of email, mail, correspondence, and pleadings related to trademark matters from the USPTO, clients, foreign counsel, and other international trademark offices.
- Maintain and organize trademark attorney case dockets through a web-based system, ensuring detailed documentation to clarify inquiries regarding deadlines and procedures.
- Act as a liaison for resolving escalated docketing issues and inquiries.
- Thoroughly review correspondence and written docketing requests to accurately identify and docket all critical deadlines. Provide quality reviews of team members' work, offering constructive feedback to ensure organizational accuracy.
- Mentor and train team members, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
- Assist in creating training materials and developing standard operating procedures to streamline processes.
- Offer expertise and guidance on intricate trademark docketing challenges.
- Collaborate with the trademark team to monitor the progress of trademark applications and registrations throughout their lifecycle.
- Contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of the docketing process, generating detailed reports on portfolio status, upcoming deadlines, and necessary actions.
- Support the Docketing Manager and Trademark Docketing Paralegal with various tasks, including reporting, docketing procedures, and delegating work as necessary.
- Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, showing flexibility and a commitment to achieving the firm’s overall objectives.
Competencies:
- Communication: Demonstrates the importance of effective verbal, written, and non-verbal communication.
- Customer/Client Experience: Creates a consistent and exceptional experience for clients and team members alike, enhancing the overall reputation of the firm.
- Job Knowledge & Technical Skill: Exhibits a thorough understanding of job responsibilities and consistently produces high-quality work.
- Team Player: Collaborates effectively with colleagues to achieve results.
Job Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Certification):
- A minimum of four (4) years of experience in trademark docketing is required.
- An Associate's degree or Paralegal Certificate is preferred.
- Proficiency with PATTSYWAVE, WebTMS, FoundationIP, or similar docketing software is preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are essential.
- Comprehensive knowledge of US and foreign trademark prosecution processes and relevant documents is strongly preferred.
- Ability to interface with USPTO, WIPO, and other trademark websites.
- A proven ability to learn new software programs quickly.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to produce precise work; strong proofreading skills are critical.
- Capability to provide clear and effective training on docketing processes and procedures.
- Outstanding organizational skills and a keen eye for detail.
- The soft skills required to interact effectively with personnel at all levels within the firm.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Professional integrity, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust within case teams.
- Strong critical thinking skills to manage complex orders and analyze impacts on deadlines.
- Adherence to firm procedures and risk management guidelines while performing a variety of complex duties.
Physical Requirements:
This role requires the ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods; to lift and carry weights of at least ten (10) pounds; to perform repetitive wrist/hand/finger movements to operate a computer and office equipment; to communicate clearly so that others can understand; and to regularly comprehend spoken communications.
The physical demands outlined here represent the necessary requirements for successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks.
Work Environment:
The work environment is a professional office atmosphere primarily involving sedentary tasks that require sitting or standing for long periods. Occasionally, off-hour meetings and events may be necessary.
The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of what may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Compensation:
Holland & Hart evaluates employment offers based on a candidate's education, experience, and training, as well as the position’s work location, market trends, and internal compensation structures. The salary range in Colorado is $32.94 - $54.90 per hour, with a potential discretionary bonus based on performance.
Application Window:
The application period is expected to close on or after May 29th. Holland & Hart reserves the right to close the position at any time.
Benefits:
Holland & Hart promotes a work/life balance with a typical 37.5-hour workweek for staff, a comprehensive wellness program, and generous PTO and holiday pay. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits from their date of hire, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD insurance. Additional options include voluntary income protection benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching, educational assistance, and opportunities for community involvement through the Holland & Hart Foundation.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Holland & Hart is committed to informing all applicants of their rights under federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.