The posting
Who We Are
ArentFox Schiff is an award-winning, globally recognized law firm that delivers sophisticated, innovative, and practical legal solutions to clients around the world. With more than 600 lawyers and policy professionals, ArentFox Schiff's expertise is sought out by Fortune 500s, start-ups, international governments, non-profits and trade associations, and private individuals. Our work spans highly complex, global matters as well as the deeply personal issues that shape the lives of individuals and communities.
Why Join Us
At ArentFox Schiff, we know that diverse backgrounds produce different perspectives, richer thinking, and more creative solutions to the challenges our clients face. We hope you share that vision. Join us and take on the challenge of doing meaningful work while helping us build upon a culture that reflects our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We base all of our employment decisions on merit and do not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected characteristic.
Job Description
Job Description
This position works under the direct supervision of a lawyer and provides the lawyer substantive legal services. A lawyer may delegate any task normally performed by a lawyer to a Senior Paralegal or Paralegal Specialist, except those tasks prohibited to a non-lawyer by statute, court rule, administrative rule or regulation, controlling authority, the applicable rule of professional conduct of the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices, or the ABA Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General
- Drafts, analyzes, and prepares legal documents for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal*
- Coordinates legal projects and communicates legal information for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Prepare draft communications for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Collects, evaluates and summarizes relevant facts and legal concepts for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Attends client meetings, coordination meetings, and legal proceedings with a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Provides legal project management for a legal matter for a supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal.
- Supervises Project Assistants, Paralegals, and Senior Paralegals, on assigned tasks.
- Maintains notary license in local jurisdiction.
- Follows all supervising lawyer or supervising paralegal instructions.
Trademark
- Prepare and file foreign and domestic trademark applications, statements of use, extensions of time, amendments to allege use, Sections 8 & 15 declarations, and other filings;
- Draft communications with clients and foreign associates;
- Preliminary trademark availability searching
- Review office actions and summarize issues for attorneys;
- Perform internal trademark searches and/or initial review of outside vendor search reports and preparing charts and draft findings;
- Draft filing instructions for trademark applications;
- Reporting deadlines to docketing and docket clearance;
- Client communications, including reporting actions, deadlines and providing accurate charts of client’s prosecution matters;
- Preparing agendas for monthly client calls;
- Make preliminary evaluations regarding potential specimens showing use for submission.
- Assist with TTAB proceedings and trademark litigation, including drafting and filing of documents, maintaining pleadings files and docket, searching for third party marks or evidence of use and related tasks
- Copyright experience or willingness to learn.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintains accurate and appropriate time records regarding hours spent working for clients, working for the Firm, and working on administrative tasks.
- Meets all time entry and timesheet deadlines specified by the Firm, the Paralegal Department, and the Accounting Department.
- Bills a minimum of 1,550 creditable hours each performance evaluation year that begins April 1 and ends March 31 of which a minimum of 1,430 of those hours are client billable hours.
- Limits approved pro bono hours and approved firm representation hours to a maximum of 120 total hours during each performance evaluation year.
- Works a predictable schedule and also provides flexibility in daily schedule to meet Firm’s needs during periods of heavy workload.
- Timely notifies both supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, Paralegal Managers and the Chief Practice Support Officer of any time out of the office during normal work hours.
- Reports the receipt of non-billable work to the Paralegal Managers and Chief Practice Support Officer upon receipt.
- Avoids overtime for non-billable assignments.
- Contacts supervising lawyers, supervising paralegals, Paralegal Managers and Chief Practice Support Officer when available for new assignments.
- Accepts accountability and responsibility for all work assignments.
- Adheres to The National Federation of Paralegal Association’s “Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.”
- Attends relevant legal education to continuously improve legal skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Understanding of legal processes and practice-group specific procedures.
- Excellent interpersonal, team, and customer service skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced, and at times, stressful environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise discretion and good judgment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and practice-group specific software.
Education & Experience:
Job Level: Senior Paralegal
All Non-California Education/Experience Requirement
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program required. Experience: 7+ years relevant paralegal experience required.
California Education/Experience Requirement
Education: Must meet the qualifications of a paralegal under California Business & Professions Code § 6450. Experience: 7+ years relevant paralegal experience required.
Job Level: Paralegal Specialist
All Non-California Education/Experience Requirement
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program required. Experience: 13+ years relevant paralegal experience required.
California Education/Experience Requirement
Education: Must meet the qualifications of a paralegal under California Business & Professions Code § 6450. Experience: 13+ years relevant paralegal experience required.
This is an hourly, non-exempt position that is eligible for a generous overtime plan that exceeds minimum legal requirements.
The anticipated good-faith base salary range for this position is:
SENIOR PARALEGAL RANGES:
- DC, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles: $ 90,286 to $124,143 per year.
- New York, San Francisco: $99,315 to $136,558 per year.
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST RANGES:
- DC, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles: $97,520 to $134,090 per year.
- New York, San Francisco: $107,272 to $147,499 per year.
*Supervising Paralegals encompass individuals with the title: Paralegal, Senior Paralegal, Paralegal Specialist and Senior Paralegal Specialist.
Your exact offer will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, your experience, skills, and overall qualifications. We also review compensation regularly against industry benchmarks and performance outcomes, so you can grow your career here with confidence—knowing your pay recognizes both your impact and our commitment to an equitable approach.
In addition to a competitive base salary, certain positions are eligible for a comprehensive performance-based bonus, payable monthly or annually.
Benefits
We know that the needs of our employees vary and can change throughout the different stages of life. That’s why we offer a wide array of flexible benefit options designed to help you live healthy, live well, and live for tomorrow. In addition to medical, dental, vision, profit-sharing, generous paid time off, and numerous other benefits, we also provide a flexible reimbursement account that helps pay for the things that contribute to your personal well-being, in your own way.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
ArentFox Schiff is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity in the workplace. We base all employment decisions on merit and maintain a policy of considering all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, citizenship status, order of protection status, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, source of income, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other basis protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
* The job description is a general summary of the major duties. It may not specify all duties, tasks, and assignments associated with a job. It does not limit or in any way modify the right of management to direct, assign, and control the work of employees in a unit. Accuracy, attention to detail, ability to work effectively in a team environment, and ability to work in an atmosphere of multiple projects and shifting priorities are requirements of all jobs at ArentFox Schiff LLP. Additional job-related qualifications may be specified for some openings. Job descriptions are subject to periodic review and modification.
