IP Litigation Secretary/Practice Assistant

$50,000 - $70,000/Yr

Honigman - Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Ann Arbor, MI

251-500 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Honigman is a premier business law firm based in Michigan with an international practice, recognized as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work. We are currently seeking an experienced IP Litigation Secretary/Practice Assistant for our Ann Arbor office. This role involves providing high-quality administrative and secretarial support to attorneys specializing in Intellectual Property (IP) litigation. The ideal candidate will be a professional, highly motivated, and organized self-starter who can anticipate the needs of assigned attorneys, manage calendars, format legal documents, and support ongoing matters effectively. The IP Litigation Secretary/Practice Assistant will work closely with IP litigation attorneys on various tasks, including the preparation of litigation-related assignments such as pleadings, discovery, correspondence, and court filings. Familiarity with commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation processes is essential. The position requires frequent preparation of documents for electronic filing in Federal and Appeals Courts, as well as assistance with post-grant patent proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The role also involves facilitating filings with the International Trade Commission regarding unfair import investigations. In addition to these responsibilities, the successful candidate will prioritize assignments, prepare sensitive correspondence, conduct searches within PACER, maintain attorney calendars, and provide trial support. The position demands superior writing and communication skills, advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite, and proficiency in document management systems. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to proofread and edit documents for accuracy and clarity, manage confidential information, and foster positive relationships with internal and external contacts. This is a full-time position with a day shift schedule, Monday to Friday, offering a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality administrative and secretarial support to IP litigation attorneys.
• Prepare litigation-related assignments including pleadings, discovery, correspondence, and court filings.
• Demonstrate familiarity with commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation processes.
• Prepare documents for electronic filing in Federal and Appeals Courts.
• Assist with preparing and filing documents in post-grant patent proceedings before the PTAB and TTAB.
• Facilitate filings with the International Trade Commission for unfair import investigations.
• Prioritize assignments and prepare sensitive correspondence from rough draft or dictation.
• Prepare routine and non-routine correspondence, legal documents, forms, and presentations using advanced software skills.
• Conduct searches within PACER and maintain attorney calendars.
• Identify, mark, and create Table of Authorities; provide trial support and maintain litigation binders/logs.
• Proofread and edit text for grammatical and typographical errors.
• Answer, screen, and place calls, and communicate messages appropriately.
• Greet and screen internal/external visitors.
• Schedule appointments and make travel arrangements as instructed.
• Establish and maintain well-organized files and manage the integrity of original client documents.
• Prepare bills for mailing and maintain billing records.

Requirements

• At least 7 years prior work experience as a Litigation Legal Secretary.
• College degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Proven experience with litigation work in the Federal Courts.
• Experience with matters before the PTAB and TTAB is preferred but not required.
• Advanced use of MS Word and Outlook, with the ability to learn other applications quickly.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills for various software programs.
• Ability to proof and edit non-routine correspondence and reports for errors.
• High-level communication skills with social sensitivity.
• Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks within time constraints.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work overtime when needed.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working on matters before the Patent and Trial Appeal Board (PTAB) and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
• Proficiency in the use of FileSite and ECF (Electronic Court Filing).

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Profit sharing
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program