Paralegal, Intellectual Property
American Standard
This is a Contract position in Des Moines, IA posted January 8, 2022.
About Us: LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that make better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere.
A better home is made up of surprisingly simple things showers and faucets to experience water in new ways; kitchens that unleash creativity; toilets that provide cleanliness and comfort; doors and windows that connect you with the world outside; interiors and exteriors that bring spaces to life; baths to escape in after a long day.Born in 2011 through a merger of five of Japan’s most successful building materials and housing companies, we draw on our Japanese heritage to create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes.
Today, we’re a global enterprise with approximately 55,000 employees in more than 150 countries worldwide, having expanded internationally by acquiring some of the most trusted names in our industry, including GROHE and American Standard.But the LIXIL difference isn’t what we do or where we do it, it is how we do it.
We combine meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth to make things that matter to people, to communities, and to the world we live in.We are proud that our products touch the lives of more than a billion people every day but believe we have the potential to do so much more.
Overview: This position will provide support to the Associate General Counsel, Head of IP.
A specialized paralegal with experience in docketing, patent prosecution, trademark searching, trademark prosecution, USPTO filings and all aspects of Intellectual Property is needed to manage the day-to-day demands of IP within the legal department.
Responsibilities: Maintains accurate patent and trademark prosecution docket including processing mail to/from USPTO, foreign associates and external US counsel; Assists with billing and budgeting matters for trademarks and patents; Assists with developing and supporting working IP process and procedures both internally and externally; Maintains accurate electronic patent files and trademark files; Files patent applications, documents, IDS, and prosecution matters with USPTO; Supports in-house patent agent/attorney with IP filing matters including PCT, national/regional stage, translations, legalization and validations, formal documents; Assists with preparation, distribution and collection of legal documents including assignments, PoA, declarations, formal documents from/to counsel and internal customers; Runs periodic reports including docket reports, annuity reports, patent family reports; Assists with preparation of patent portfolio reviews; Assists with instructing annuity vendor regarding annuity payments; Files trademark applications, documents, and prosecution matters with USPTO; Conduct trademark searches and ordering formal searches; Assists with trademark search reviews and various trademark matters; Assists with reviewing documents and marketing material for accuracy of trademark, copyright and product claims; and Maintains accurate intranet trademark registration list.
Qualifications: High school degree (bachelors degree preferred), paralegal certificate, more than 5 years of working experience as patent or trademark paralegal including managing docketing system, managing patent, trademark and contract databases, working knowledge of the patent and/or trademark filing an prosecution process, experience with e-filing at USPTO.
(Law firm experience preferred)Strong organizational skills with the ability to accomplish tasks within agreed upon timeframes through effective prioritizationAble to work independently and a be team player to complete tasks and respond to department requests and to collaborate with others (on different locations and cultural background) to identify solutionsExcellent follow-up skills with the ability to organize applicable department timelines and follow up with internal and external customersExcellent attention to detail and strong proofreading skillsAbility to handle multiple projects with changing priorities, meet critical deadlines, work within a team, and demonstrate initiativeAbility to work independently under limited supervision Strong work ethic and accountabilityStrong computer skills, including use to work with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
