Legal Assistant

Take the next step in your career at the U.S. agency responsible for safeguarding American innovation! At the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), we're seeking a legal assistant in the Office of General Counsel, Office of the Solicitor. This role will be responsible for maintaining litigation files, researching and updating dockets, providing administrative support to meet service requirements and deadlines, and build relationships with stakeholders.

Duties

This role is the ideal next career step for you if you:

• Are excited to use your skills to open and maintain litigation files in paper and/or electronic form; analyze and input case information; research online resources for case statuses and materials to update docket and case files; identify and resolve discrepancies or deficiencies in docket data and case file materials by correcting data and obtaining missing documents; and provide status updates to attorneys and paralegal specialists.
• Possess the knowledge to mail, deliver, email, or fax written materials upon request and to meet service requirements and deadlines.
• Are a collaborative relationship builder who is passionate about reviewing, reproducing, and binding briefs and other documents by utilizing various office equipment most appropriate to complete the task; checking for and correcting copying errors; ensuring continuity of form and adherence to Federal court filing rules and procedural guidelines; and ensuring proper functioning and operation of office equipment by filling paper in printers and copiers, completing preventive maintenance requirements and/or calling for repairs.
• AEnjoy drafting, proofreading and editing documents, correspondence, forms, memoranda and other written materials in adherence to established guidelines, standard office policies and procedures.
• Are enthusiastic about preparing attorneys for court hearings and appearances by assembling and organizing briefs, case materials, and exhibits; preparing and distributing case materials for moot courts; organizing meetings and conferences and scheduling couriers.
• Have experience analyzing documents received from Federal district courts for completeness of information, identifying missing information and taking action to obtain complete information before processing via data entry portal.

>> APPLY on USAJOBS by 1/12/2025

>> LEARN MORE about the USPTO's comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Experience providing administrative legal support on federal district or federal appellate court cases; AND
• Experience researching and retrieving relevant legal data using automated systems; AND
• Experience drafting legal documents and correspondence using software applications.

Education

As a general rule, education is not creditable above a GS-05 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

Conditions of Employment

Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.

The full list of conditions, qualifications, and requirements for the written statement can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.