Legal Assistant Part-Time

Objective

Seeking part-time clerical/administrative position (remote or hybrid)

Skills

Independent and team-oriented worker

Extremely quick learner

Highly detail-oriented

Excellent analytical skills

Excellent research skills (e.g. Corsearch trademark search engine)

Microsoft Office

I-MANAGE Document Processing

File-Site Electronic Filing System

Internet Explorer

Elite Accounting System

Excellent Customer Service/Client Relations

Work History

Legal Assistant 08/2018 to 12/2024

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP – Washington DC

Extensive daily email communication with clients to report USPTO actions; provide reminders of upcoming deadlines and status reports; respond to client inquiries, report filing of U.S., foreign and international trademark applications and other pre-registration documents, post-registration filings and renewal applications; forward domestic, foreign and international Certificates of Registration and Renewal Certificates;

Reviews Examiner's Amendments, Suspension Notices and Inquiries; draft corresponding reporting letters to clients

Daily opening of new client matters, initiating conflicts checks, engagement of new clients

Ensures that all USPTO actions, related filings and client correspondence are filed in corresponding I-MANAGE/File-Site electronic file

Daily communication with Records and Docketing Departments

Manages monthly billing (150 -250 invoices per month); handles and resolves all billing issues

Daily communication with Accounting Department to address billing issues and provide instructions for preparation and processing of invoices

Routinely accesses Elite Accounting System to obtain information with respect to clients' accounts, process billing requests, initiate the closing of clients' accounts and order final invoices

Routine preparation of expense reports

Maintains record of specific client and billing instructions

Trademark Assistant 06/2006 to 10/2015

Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C – Arlington, VA

Routinely prepared and filed U.S. trademark applications and pre-registration documents via USPTO website

Initiated foreign filings, providing pertinent instructions to foreign trademark agents

Examined trademark specimens to determine sufficiency

Reviewed Office Actions and prepared draft Responses

Utilized USPTO website to obtain status and other pertinent trademark information

Conducted federal, state and common law trademark searches via in-house Corsearch search engine; drafted corresponding search opinions

Conducted preliminary trademark legal research via Internet and McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition

Maintained existing U.S. registrations by filing the requisite documents with the USPTO

Prepared and filed Requests for Extensions of Time to File Notices of Opposition; drafted and filed Notices of Opposition; prepared Cease & Desist letters and Appeal Briefs

Prepared and maintained pleadings files and contact lists for purposes of litigation

Solely managed Attorney Docket

Routinely communicated with clients to report PTO actions, provide status updates and reminders of upcoming deadlines and provide basic trademark information

Communicated with Trademark Examiners via email, telephone or correspondence

Maintained correspondence files, client lists and databases

Daily utilization of First to File electronic filing system and I-MANAGE document management system

IP Assistant 11/2004 to 05/2006

Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P – Washington, DC

Prepared and electronically filed U.S. trademark applications and related pre-registration and post-registration documents at the USPTO under the supervision of legal assistant; reported same to clients

Initiated conflict checks and prepared and forwarded engagement letters

Opened new client matters, preparing and maintaining files accordingly

Assisted in reviewing and editing of draft bills and subsequent follow-up with Accounting Department

Entered attorneys' and legal assistant's time via the Carpe Diem time entry system

Routinely assisted with the preparation, formatting and editing of licenses and various intellectual property agreements

Made travel/hotel arrangements and subsequent preparation and forwarding of expense reports, check requests and supporting materials

Trademark Secretary 09/2000 to 07/2004

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P – Washington, DC

Manually prepared and filed U.S. trademark applications, pre-registration and post-registration documents at the USPTO; reported same to clients

Prepared and filed copyright applications at the Copyright Office under the direction of supervising attorney

Heavy editing of litigation documents and preparation of cease-and-desist letters

Drafted letters and memoranda and assisted in the development and maintenance of databases to assist in monitoring and tracking status of trademark and copyright applications

Legal Secretary/Director's Assistant 01/1990 to 03/2000

Covington & Burling, LLP – Washington DC

As Legal Secretary, I performed the following:

Provided legal secretarial and administrative assistance to attorneys in the areas of Environmental, White Collar Crime Litigation, Anti-Trust, Employee Benefits, Insurance, Trademark/Intellectual Property and Corporate Law

Served as volunteer secretary at the Neighborhood Legal Services Program (six months) in which capacity I communicated with prospective clients via the telephone and in person to assist in determining eligibility for legal assistance, and prepared client intake sheets for attorneys' reference

Provided other legal secretarial and administrative assistance, as needed

As Director's Assistant, I performed the following:

Provided administrative support to the Director of Operations, developing business correspondence, proposals, reports, conducting research, evaluating and analyzing information

Participated in meetings with Firm personnel and vendors; prepared meeting summaries

Served as departmental subtenant contact, working towards resolution of various subtenant issues

Assisted in the management of Firm's space; managed monthly parking administration for Firm personnel and subtenants

Education

High School Diploma 06/1969

Graduate of Southern Sr. High School - Harwood, MD

Associate of Arts: Business Administration 12/2022

Prince Georges Community College - Largo, MD

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