The posting
Intellectual Property Paralegal II
The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.
The mission of the Administration team is to enable the people and science of the Allen Institute. We connect teams, steward resources, and build strong systems that give our accelerators the stability and flexibility to pursue ambitious questions, collaborate across disciplines, and share their work openly.
We are searching for an Intellectual Property (IP) Paralegal II who will provide specialized support for the management and protection of the organization’s intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related agreements. This role is responsible for patent and trademark docketing, prosecution support, IP portfolio administration, database management, and coordination with outside counsel, inventors, researchers, and business stakeholders. The successful candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
The Intellectual Property Paralegal II serves as a critical partner to Innovation Management, Legal, researchers, business stakeholders, and external counsel by ensuring the organization’s intellectual property assets are accurately managed, protected, and advanced throughout their lifecycle. This role delivers operational excellence through diligent portfolio administration, patent and trademark prosecution support, docket management, compliance reporting, and data integrity. By maintaining critical deadlines, streamlining IP processes, and providing reliable portfolio insights, the Intellectual Property Paralegal helps safeguard the organization's innovations, reduce risk, support commercialization and research objectives, and enable the legal and innovation teams to operate more strategically and efficiently.
At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.
We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Essential Functions
- Maintain the organization's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property assets
- Coordinate domestic and international intellectual property prosecution activities to support the protection and preservation of organizational innovations and brands
- Monitor and administer intellectual property deadlines, filings, renewals, maintenance requirements, and other critical portfolio obligations
- Maintain the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of intellectual property records, databases, and portfolio information
- Support intellectual property compliance activities, reporting requirements, and governance obligations
- Provide operational support for intellectual property-related agreements, transactions, and portfolio administration activities
- Generate and analyze intellectual property portfolio information, metrics, and status reporting to support legal and business decision-making
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, inventors, researchers, business teams, and external counsel to facilitate intellectual property activities and portfolio management
- Develop, maintain, and improve intellectual property processes, procedures, standards, and operational best practices
- Support intellectual property audits, reviews, and strategic initiatives that enhance portfolio management effectiveness and operational efficiency
- Serve as a resource for intellectual property portfolio information, status updates, and process guidance across the organization
- Protect confidential intellectual property information while ensuring appropriate documentation, record management, and information stewardship
*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. *
Required Education and Experience
- Associate degree, bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Minimum of five years of specialized experience in intellectual property law, patent prosecution, trademark administration, or intellectual property portfolio management
- Experience supporting U.S. and international patent prosecution activities
- Experience managing patent and/or trademark docketing systems and critical filing deadlines
- Experience maintaining the accuracy and integrity of intellectual property records, databases, and portfolio information
- Experience collaborating with attorneys, outside counsel, inventors, scientists, researchers, and business stakeholders
- Experience supporting intellectual property compliance, reporting, portfolio administration, and governance activities
- Working knowledge of U.S. patent and trademark prosecution processes, filing requirements, and maintenance obligations
- Familiarity with USPTO procedures, patent prosecution documentation, and trademark maintenance requirements
- Proficiency with intellectual property management and docketing systems
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Ability to maintain accurate records, handle confidential information with discretion, and exercise sound judgment
Preferred Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree and/or ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate
- Paralegal certification (e.g., NALA Certified Paralegal, NFPA Registered Paralegal, or equivalent)
- Five or more years of intellectual property paralegal experience
- Experience supporting biotechnology, life sciences, research, medical device, or technology organizations
- Experience administering domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios, including coordination with foreign associates and outside counsel
- Experience with intellectual property management, docketing, and innovation management software platforms, such as Inteum Minuet, FoundationIP, Anaqua, CPI, or similar systems
- Experience supporting federal funding compliance and invention reporting requirements
- Experience developing portfolio metrics, reporting, analytics, and operational process Improvements
- Continuous learner with a strong interest in intellectual property and a willingness to adapt to evolving legal, regulatory, and operational requirements
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with exceptional attention to accuracy and completeness
- Self-starter with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and stakeholder groups
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with legal counsel, inventors, researchers, scientists, and business stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment
Physical Demands
- Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
- Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment
- Stooping, bending, crouching
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.
Annualized Salary Range
$86,150 - $106,650*
* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.
Benefits
Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.
It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
