Intellectual Property Staff Training & Docketing Manager

WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.

What You Will Be Doing:

Develops, communicates and executes substantive Intellectual Property ("IP") training as it relates to IP staff which includes, but not limited to, paralegals, patent administrators and secretaries across all offices. Regarding Docketing, the Manager leads Docketing in the IP Department while supervising the work and performance of the IP Docketing Coordinators, including monitoring and coordinating workflow, setting priorities, managing performance, and overseeing quality results. In addition, in collaboration with the IP Department Director, ensures the continued professional development of the IP Staff with a heavy focus on patent prosecution; and assists with developing best practices for docketing and the IP department.

Assists with proactively supporting client service by actively participating in the firm's Service Excellence initiative. Ensures that staff members are providing quality service to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors by displaying professionalism via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person and by encouraging an atmosphere that rewards a "can do" attitude.

• Works with the Director of IP and other members of the IP team, including Best Practices Committee, to identify and address training needs, develop curricula, and implement programs to maximize effectiveness and quality. Additionally, the IP Staff Training & Docketing Manager will manage, train, mentor and evaluate IP Docketing Coordinators, as well as the day-to-day operations of IP Docketing including staffing and procedures so that each task is performed efficiently with an emphasis on risk management.
• Works with internal presenters, as needed, to deliver effective training. Identifies and coordinates internal and external resources for the delivery of other practice-related skills. Additionally, the IP Staff Training & Docketing Manager will monitor and coordinate workflow of IP Docketing Coordinators while overseeing the quality control of all incoming USPTO and foreign associate correspondence daily against information in the docketing database.
• Manages all aspects of IP Staff Training budget to ensure compliance with departmental requirements.
• Works with the Director of IP and other members of the IP team to build new initiatives and training programs to ensure the continued professional development of the IP staff. Additionally, the Manager will work closely with the IP Director to establish and maintain a process for having attorneys adhere to the process for mitigating risk.
• Create and update manuals for both training and docketing procedures.
• Keeps abreast of trends in IP to ensure efficient delivery of material content and topics.
• Acts as a resource for legal staff and IP docketing staff in resolving patent process problems and docketing-related issues.
• Tracks, reviews and disseminates information regarding pertinent changes and announcements directly related to filing practices in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• In partnership with IP Department Director and Manager, conducts routine skills assessments and recommends solutions designed to increase efficiency and productivity while mitigating risk.
• Demonstrates proficiency in U.S. and foreign patent rules. Evaluates impact of rule changes on administrative practices and works with IP Director, Best Practices Committee and others to implement appropriate changes.
• Ensures that internal policies, programs and processes are developed, communicated, and implemented in compliance with Firm objectives and relevant USPTO laws/regulations and Firm objectives.
• Establish and implement a strategic IP Staff Training program, including short- and long-term training goals and objectives.
• Establish and maintain internal and vendor relationships with the goal of continuously improving the IP Staff Training and Docketing services to the Firm.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

• Excellent management and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong teamwork skills with a collaborative approach to working with others at all levels of seniority.
• Extensive knowledge of instructional design and adult learning, or extensive knowledge of law firms and practice of law.
• Detail oriented and high attention to quality
• Ability to organize and implement training programs; as well as docketing procedures and standards.

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• JD preferred but not required.

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in an active IP practice or training and development required.
• Prior experience managing a team.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.

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