What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intellectual Property Paralegal – IP (Trademark/TTAB Focus) position at Barnes & Thornburg LLP?
Location: Minneapolis, MN.
Barnes & Thornburg is seeking an Intellectual Property Paralegal with experience in trademark litigation and opposition practice to join our Intellectual Property Department in the Chicago, Indianapolis or Minneapolis office. This position will support attorneys in the management, docketing, and coordination of proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
Responsibilities
Equal Employment And Opportunity Statement
Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.
Barnes & Thornburg is seeking an Intellectual Property Paralegal with experience in trademark litigation and opposition practice to join our Intellectual Property Department in the Chicago, Indianapolis or Minneapolis office. This position will support attorneys in the management, docketing, and coordination of proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
Responsibilities
- Manage TTAB case schedules, deadlines, and filings, including oppositions, cancellations, motions, and briefs.
- Monitor TTABVUE and USPTO for case updates; update dockets and escalate urgent deadlines as needed.
- Organize and maintain case files, exhibits, and trial materials.
- Prepare, format, and file documents with the TTAB (TTABVUE), USPTO, and federal courts.
- Docket and calculate time-sensitive deadlines in compliance with TTAB rules and proactively confirm coverage for all deadlines.
- Support attorneys with discovery, evidence management, and drafting motions or procedural filings.
- Prepare legal correspondence, research orders or case law, and assist with cite-checking.
- Communicate effectively with attorneys, clients, and opposing counsel.
- Collaborate across offices, coordinating with attorneys, paralegals, docketing teams, and clients.
- Bachelor’s degree required; B.S. preferred, Paralegal Certificate preferred.
- 3-5 years of intellectual property paralegal experience, with a focus on trademark opposition or TTAB matters.
- Experience with USPTO/TTABVUE filings and federal litigation procedures.
- Strong docketing, document management, and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication and time management abilities; detail-oriented.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team across multiple offices.
- Experience with IP docketing and case management systems preferred.
Equal Employment And Opportunity Statement
Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.