A leading national law firm is seeking a Patent Junior Legal Assistant to support its life sciences and healthcare IP team, with the role available in San Francisco, Menlo Park, Century City, Los Angeles, Irvine, Del Mar, San Diego, or Chicago. This position works closely with attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, and practice specialists across all aspects of U.S. patent prosecution, primarily helping paralegals and practice specialists manage the team’s daily workflow.

Responsibilities include submitting conflict checks and opening new matters, preparing engagement letters, filing documents in the firm’s document management and docketing systems, and researching U.S. and foreign patent databases such as USPTO, WIPO, and Espacenet. The assistant will prepare new application papers such as Application Data Sheets, manage inventor signatures on formal documents, record and file them with the USPTO, draft reporting letters, file powers of attorney for transferred-in matters, run docketing reports, and support client projects.

Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of recent U.S. patent prosecution experience in a law firm and working knowledge of USPTO Patent Center filing. Strong attention to detail, excellent written communication, the ability to manage shifting priorities, and availability for occasional overtime are essential. A high school diploma is required; some college or a Bachelor’s degree is preferred. The position offers a hybrid schedule (three days in office, two remote) and a salary of up to $100,000 (non-exempt).