Patent Paralegal

Junior Patent Paralegal (Contract) Location: Remote (United States) Hours: 40 hours per week Duration: 6 months (November 16, 2026 – May 22, 2027) Compensation: $54–$60/hour Overview Legal.io is seeking a detail-oriented Junior Patent Paralegal to support the intellectual property legal team of a leading global consumer products company on a full-time contract engagement. This role will focus on patent prosecution administration, portfolio management, and filing coordination during a transition in the team’s operating model. The successful candidate will help manage the day-to-day procedural and administrative activities that keep domestic and international patent matters progressing efficiently, from initial invention intake through application filing, docket maintenance, and ongoing portfolio support. The ideal candidate has experience supporting patent prosecution activities, familiarity with U.S. and international patent filing procedures, and strong organizational skills. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career patent paralegal to gain experience supporting a sophisticated global patent portfolio. Key Responsibilities Manage invention disclosures and new patent matter intake, ensuring accurate documentation and timely processing Coordinate domestic and international patent application filings, working with attorneys, inventors, and external counsel as needed Support patent prosecution workflows, including filing preparation, procedural requirements, and deadline tracking Handle patent filing formalities, signature collection, and execution of required documentation Prepare, coordinate, and manage Information Disclosure Statements (IDS) and related submissions Maintain accurate patent docket records, filing information, and matter status updates Process patent matter abandonments and associated administrative requirements Conduct patent searches and queries using patent databases and research platforms Monitor filing deadlines and procedural requirements to support timely completion of patent-related activities Coordinate with internal patent team members and outside counsel to obtain information and resolve administrative issues Support patent portfolio management and other intellectual property legal projects as needed Assist with maintaining consistent and organized patent records during changes to the team’s operating processes Qualifications 1+ years of experience supporting patent prosecution, patent administration, intellectual property operations, or related paralegal functions Familiarity with U.S. and international patent prosecution procedures, including USPTO, WIPO, and EPO systems Experience coordinating patent filings, managing prosecution documentation, or supporting patent docketing activities Ability to conduct patent queries and research across multiple patent databases Strong attention to detail, particularly when managing filing requirements, procedural documentation, and deadlines Excellent organizational and time management skills Ability to manage multiple patent matters and competing priorities simultaneously Strong written and verbal communication skills Comfortable working independently in a remote, collaborative legal environment Proficiency with legal technology, document management systems, and standard office productivity tools Preferred Experience Familiarity with Symphony patent management software Experience using Max IDS for Information Disclosure Statement management Familiarity with PatBase and PatSnap patent research platforms Experience supporting both U.S. and international patent prosecution portfolios Prior experience working with in-house intellectual property teams or patent prosecution law firms Experience coordinating patent filings and related formalities across multiple jurisdictions Familiarity with patent portfolio management, docketing, and prosecution workflow systems Technology & Systems Experience USPTO patent filing and prosecution systems WIPO international patent filing systems European Patent Office (EPO) systems and procedures Symphony patent management software (preferred) Max IDS (preferred) PatBase and PatSnap patent research platforms (preferred) Patent docketing, portfolio management, and document management systems Key Attributes Exceptionally detail-oriented and organized Proactive in managing deadlines, filing requirements, and administrative workflows Comfortable handling multiple patent matters simultaneously Strong communicator who collaborates effectively with attorneys, inventors, and legal operations teams Adaptable and willing to learn new systems and processes Reliable, responsive, and capable of working independently Process-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and efficiency Why This Role Opportunity to support the intellectual property team of a leading global consumer products company Gain hands-on experience managing domestic and international patent prosecution workflows Work with established patent management systems and research platforms Collaborate with experienced patent professionals on a sophisticated global patent portfolio Fully remote opportunity with competitive hourly compensation Potential opportunity for longer-term employment, depending on business needs and performance Please Note This is an initial six-month contract engagement, with a potential opportunity for conversion to a permanent position. Any conversion would be subject to business needs and is not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Statement Legal.io is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.