TITLE: IP Paralegal

LOCATION: Bridgewater, NJ or Westchester, IL   
REPORTS TO:  Senior IP Counsel    

The IP Paralegal/Formalities Specialist will be responsible for providing administrative support for the day-to-day aspects of our IP portfolio. 

Core Responsibilities: 
Under the guidance of the Senior IP Paralegals:
•    Support preparation, prosecution, and maintenance of Ingredion’s global IP portfolio (patent, trademark, and domain names)
•    Collaborate with the business and in-house IP attorneys to prepare, file, and prosecute new trademark applications including agreeing the scope of goods and services and geographies in which to file
•    Facilitate trademark renewal payments/instructions; secure the information required to prove trademark usage
•    Liaise with agents, Senior IP paralegals, and in-house IP attorneys to facilitate the preparation, prosecution and filing of new patent applications, including obtaining priority documents, POAs and assignments
•    Prepare, facilitate and/or direct file patent applications in the PCT, US, and foreign jurisdictions
•    Prepare documents (including shell responses, assignments, IDSs, etc) for filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”)
•    Create and maintain accurate and complete electronic files 
•    Manage and track Invention Disclosures
•    Review IP correspondence and docket and/or close associated due dates; prepare docket reports; manage all docket due dates to ensure all filing/response deadlines are met; and facilitate payment of patent annuities.
•    Generate IP reports and materials required to support business meetings. 
•    Help manage IP legal budget and process invoices for the IP legal department, including creating new billing matters and setting up new vendors in electronic billing system and fielding IP legal billing and invoice questions. 
•    Proactively promote and recommend opportunities to simplify IP team processes and procedures to promote simpler and more efficient ways of working, lower costs and minimize risk associated with procuring and managing the IP portfolio
•    Provide basic administrative support

Qualified candidates: 
•    Must have an Associate’s degree or Paralegal certificate (or similar) with 2-5 years of combined law-firm and corporate legal experience supporting a global patent portfolio, including interacting with global agents and internal clients.  
•    Must have experience supporting the preparation and prosecution of global patent and trademark portfolios, inclusive of electronic filings. 
•    Must have experience docketing patent and trademark due dates and facilitating payment of patent annuities and trademark renewals.
•    Must have experience using online databases and internet resources (e.g. USPTO, EPO) 
•    Must be well organized with excellent attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
•    Must be able to work independently and collaboratively to manage multiple, diverse projects in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and proactively communicate with the Chief IP Counsel and other legal team members when appropriate. 
•    Must be a proactive problem solver and exceptional team player
•    Must be computer literate
•    Must be fluent in English