Legal Assistant (REMOTE) - Military Veterans
at The United States Patent and Trademark Office
** To apply, send your resume, DD 214, and VA Letter (if applicable) to HireVets@USPTO.gov by 7/9 **
Looking for the next challenge in your career? Join us at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)--America's Innovation Agency! We're seeking a Legal Assistant under the Office of General Counsel, Office of the Solicitor. The Office of the Solicitor acts as legal counsel to the USPTO on intellectual property law matters and also works in collaboration with the Department of Commerce on interagency intellectual property law matters. The work is challenging, the atmosphere is professional, and our diverse attorneys enjoy a high quality of work life rarely found in the legal field!
** Salary listed is for the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington area; Salary dependent on location of selectee; Locality tables are listed on OPM. **
Telework
This position permits, but does not require, remote work. The official duty station and physical worksite for employees who do not opt for remote work will be the Alexandria, VA Headquarters or one of the USPTO's Regional Offices located in Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI or San Jose, CA. The official duty station for employees who opt for remote work, will be their approved remote work location. Employees' locality pay will be determined by the location of their official duty station.
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.
- Enjoy 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.
>> LEARN MORE about the USPTO's comprehensive benefits: https://bit.ly/3yj8yXy
How to Apply
Email your:
- Resume
- DD 214
- VA Letter (if applicable)
To: HireVets@USPTO.gov
Learn more about this position at USAJobs.com by visiting: https://bit.ly/3XYcfSz
Qualifications
- Experience providing administrative legal support on federal district or federal appellate court cases;
- Experience researching and retrieving relevant legal data using automated systems; AND
- Experience drafting legal documents and correspondence using software applications.
Education
Education may not be substituted for experience at this grade level.
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 and qualifications can be found on the USAJOBS posting: https://bit.ly/3XYcfSz
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.
USA
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the Federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. In doing this, the USPTO fulfills the mandate of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the Constitution that the Executive branch "promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries." The USPTO registers trademarks based on the Commerce Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The strength and vitality of the U.S. economy depends directly on effective mechanisms that protect new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. The continued demand for patents and trademarks underscores the ingenuity of American inventors and entrepreneurs. The USPTO is at the cutting edge of the Nation's technological progress and achievement.
The USPTO advises the President of the United States, the Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Government agencies on intellectual property (IP) policy, protection, and enforcement; and promotes the stronger and more effective IP protection around the world. The USPTO furthers effective IP protection for U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide by working with other agencies to secure strong IP provisions in free trade and other international agreements. It also provides training, education, and capacity building programs designed to foster respect for IP and encourage the development of strong IP enforcement regimes by U.S. trading partners.