Customer Service Legal Assistant

STEPHANIE A. LASTE

Cinnaminson, NJ *****

Cell: 856-***-**** • ***************@*******.*** • linkedin.com/in/stephanielaste

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

High energy, dynamic, resourceful, and forward-looking Director of Operations offering progressive hands-on experience guiding teams to achieve challenging performance objectives while ensuring high levels of quality and customer satisfaction. Maintain constant focus on the big picture, pay meticulous attention to details, and efficiently manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. Proactive, self-reliant leader who can build, coach and mentor cross-functional teams; and cultivate strong partnerships with key stakeholders. Committed to adding value and exceeding expectations through creative ideation, sound business judgment, collaborative problem solving, and a competitive will-to-win mindset.

APPLIED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Process Improvement

Operational Needs Assessment

Outsourcing

Budgeting & Cost Control

Market Analysis

Risk Management

Customer Service

Restructuring

Relationship Management

Employee Relations

Change Management

Scheduling/Workforce Planning

Training & Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) - Philadelphia, PA • August 2007–Present

One of the world’s leading and oldest children's hospitals and home to one of the largest pediatric research programs in the U.S. with more than $138 million in total federal awards and an annual budget of more than $329 million.

Intellectual Property Specialist (August 2007–Present)

Manage over 700 active cases in patent portfolio; Conduct intake for New Discovery Disclosure Forms (DDFs); send acknowledgement to inventors; and secure signatures on DDFs and Invention Assignment Agreements. Docket and update new patent case filings, incoming office actions, and correspondence (PTO, PCT, Foreign Associate). Organize meetings to secure signatures on patent forms for both domestic and foreign case filings. Assist in quality assurance review for patent filings. Review and update status of patent cases with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. Serve as liaison between patent attorneys and inventors. Review and coordinate payment of annuities and all legal invoices through Onbase.

Identified major cost saving method by transferring all patent annuities to one patent annuity firm; negotiated contract that reduced the average cost of each paid annuity by more than $250, producing first year savings of over $14,000 and FY16 savings of approximately $75,000.

Analyzed non-licensed technologies, producing savings in patent prosecution costs of more than $150,000 in FY16.

Created checklists and SOPs for input of patents and technologies into Inteum Database.

Partnered with Research IS and Hospital IS departments to drive Data Loss Prevention SOP initiative regarding loss of potential patent rights.

Selected as IP Chairperson and served as a volunteer speaker for the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals; also served as member of the AUTM Tech Transfer Best Practices Manual Committee.

Interim Co-Director - Office of Technology Transfer (June 2015 – September 2016)

Led an eight-person team comprised of Licensing Associates, Contracts Administrators, Research Coordinator, Sr. Accountant, three contractors, and controlled $1.2 million budget, while concurrently managing CHOP's IP Portfolio (above role) and Inteum Database (below role).

Recruited, hired, and on-boarded six full time professionals and three outside consultants to keep pace with challenging departmental work flow and tight timelines.

Utilized CHOP’s Leadership core principles to maintain employee engagement and avoid potential attrition.

STEPHANIE A. LASTE Page 2

Cell: 856-***-**** • ***************@*******.*** • linkedin.com/in/stephanielaste

Implemented operational and process efficiencies that produced $750,000 in cost savings in FY16 & FY17.

Served as key player in roundtable discussions with the Responsible Conduct Research at bi-annual meetings on protection of CHOP’s IP Portfolio in the academic research setting.

Supported negotiation of multi-million dollar licensing contracts and conflict of interest management plans by preparing presentations and attending meetings with Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors and various other C Suite Level Executives.

Inteum Database Administrator (March 2010 – November 2016)

Collaborated with Research IS to run required database updates and implement suggested changes. Managed end users, troubleshooting issues and licensed seats. Worked closely with outside contractor to clean-up database records as required.

Analyzed entire IP portion of database to determine potential risks and flaws in data; initiated corrective actions and prepared database for launch of new web portals.

Played key role in Data Loss Prevention initiative for CHOP’s cyber security team; documented potential loss of intellectual property and advised IS Security team on various ways to recognize potential IP losses, leading to development of new software code that identified staff emails where IP could be lost through unsecure messages.

Woodcock Washburn, LLP - Philadelphia, PA • 2001–2007

Patent Prosecution Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Quality Control

Supported senior partner’s entire client base and portfolios. Project management duties included organizing and presenting client specific requests regarding budget estimates and various portfolio inquiries by creating reports using MS Office Suite (Word, Access, Power Point, and Excel). Prepared documents for filings at all points of patent prosecution. Utilized 37 CFR Patent and Trademark Rules to resolve complex issues. Served as trainer and quality control reviewer for new hires with all filings. Member of firm’s Patent Prosecution Best Practices Committee.

Schnader Harrison Segal and Lewis, LLP - Philadelphia, PA • 1999–2001

Intellectual Property Legal Assistant

Filed patent and trademark applications, declarations, assignments, priority documents, Information Disclosure Statements, issue fees, formal drawings, and certificate of corrections with U.S. and international patent offices. Drafted various types of correspondence to clients, foreign agents, and patent offices. Played major role in migrating patent department to iManage database software.

Furia and Turner - Philadelphia, PA • 1996–1999

Paralegal/Legal Secretary/Office Manager

Scheduled depositions and appointments for two partners and one associate. Organized and worked files until trial; prepared various motions and legal documents for all stages of litigation. Executed various duties for attorneys’ extracurricular groups including organization of special events, projects, and luncheons for the Justinian Society (600 member legal organization).

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Saint Joseph’s University - Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (Concentration in Legal Studies), 2002

Community College of Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies, 2000

Certificate in Paralegal Studies (ABA approved program)

Inteum Database Systems Administrator Certificate

Completion of CHOP’s Executive Leadership Program

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