Practice Coordinator, Patents

Job Description

At Norton Rose Fulbright, people thrive because of a shared commitment to quality, unity and integrity. The highly regarded law firm consistently receives recognition from Great Place to Work and Top Workplaces, two companies that specialize in assessing organizational culture. Teams collaborate across regions, value new ideas and deliver meaningful client solutions, supported by a culture that embraces ambition, development and shared success. With more than 3,000 lawyers and 3,000 business services professionals working together across 50 offices worldwide, this global law firm provides a full range of legal services to leading corporations and financial institutions operating in key markets and sectors.

The Practice Coordinator in the Minneapolis office will support lawyers in our Intellectual Property practice. This position entails a range of responsibilities and challenges that require strong communication and troubleshooting abilities and strong administrative, multi-tasking, and client-service skills. The ideal candidate will have several years’ experience in patent prosecution in a law firm or corporate IP department, will take initiative, have integrity, and will be dependable.

This position will require presence in the office at least three days per week pursuant to the firm’s hybrid work policy. Overtime and flexibility in schedule is required from time to time.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Draft and submit filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Execute document production, including formatting, editing, and finalizing correspondence, USPTO filings, memoranda, briefs, motions, and pleadings
• Proofread all documents for accuracy, grammar, and formatting
• Open new clients/matters, including facilitating conflict checks, completing new matter forms, and preparing engagement letters
• Review and edit pre-bills for submission to the billing department and research outstanding invoices and payments as needed
• Maintain organized client and matter files and ensure compliance with firm protocols, utilizing IP document management system
• Schedule and manage meetings, calls, and logistics for lawyers and clients
• Proactively prepare documents based on docket deadlines and communicate with prosecution team to prepare and finalize documents
• Assist with docketing
• Reconcile invoices and manage reimbursements in the expense system
• Coordinate travel arrangements and assist with lawyer time entry as needed
• Assist the firm and peers with overflow work and provide backup support, as requested
• May train, assist, and provide orientation for new and less experienced members of staff

Other duties

Please note this job description does not cover or contain all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the colleague for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications and experience:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma is required
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience performing legal administrative duties in a law firm or professional service organization; some experience in patent prosecution
• Experience with e-filing with USPTO
• Ability to anticipate needs, confirm next steps, and proactively identify and resolve issues
• Skilled in the Microsoft Office suite, with a strong ability to learn and adapt to new software quickly
• Demonstrated ability to work independently or collaboratively, while effectively prioritizing workload and ad‑hoc demands
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities, with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Reliable, resourceful, organized, and detail-oriented

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The full-time base annual salary for this position in the Minneapolis market is expected to range between $70,000 and 90,000. This range represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting for a position in Minneapolis. Salaries in other markets will vary depending on market data. Bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed and are dependent upon individual and firm performance.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Benefit packages include access to three medical plans, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Employees can also access pre-tax benefits such as health savings and flexible spending accounts. Norton Rose Fulbright helps provide financial security by allowing employees to participate in a 401(k) savings plan and profit-sharing plans if eligible. Full- time employees are eligible to access fertility benefits designed to support fertility and family-forming journeys.

In addition to the Firm’s health and welfare benefits above, we offer a competitive paid time off plan, which provides a minimum of 20 days off based on your role and tenure with the firm. The firm offers a generous paid parental leave benefit allowing parents to take a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave to bond with your newborn, or adopted child(ren). Employees are also entitled to 11 Firm holidays.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal laws and their implementing regulations that require the collection and recording of certain data and information. The information we receive will not be used to make any decision regarding employment and will be kept separate from your application. Similarly, self-identification information is kept confidential and used only in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to providing reasonable accommodation as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation to complete your application, please contact us.hr@nortonrosefulbright.com. Please provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the firm, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).