IP Legal Assistant/Paralegal

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Patent Prosecution: More than 20 years experience as a paralegal/legal assistant in patent prosecution. Strong knowledge in both U.S. and foreign prosecution procedures, including the PCT.

Trademark Prosecution: Working knowledge in trademark and service mark procedures.

Patent/Trademark Research: Perform in-depth patent research (focusing on prior art and patent family) using commercial and government databases. Perform trademark searches using trademark database (TESS).

Key Strengths: Articulate and detail-oriented with exceptional analytical and organizational skills. Able to work under pressure, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and work independently or as a team player.

Technical Skills: Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet research.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PIONEER NORTH AMERICA, INC. (formerly Discovision Associates), Long Beach, CA 1987 – 2009

Intellectual Property Coordinator (1995 – 2009)

* Awarded Employee of the Year for FY 2004

* Provided support in all phases of patent and trademark prosecution:

- Prepared and filed U.S. patent applications (utility, design and trademark) and other IP related documents

- Prepared and filed PCT and national filings

- Prepared foreign filing instructions and corresponded with foreign associates

- Communicated with inventors, USPTO personnel, and domestic and foreign associates

- Monitored all U.S. and foreign deadlines for assigned docket

- Monitored Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR)

- Maintained knowledge of EFS-Web, EPO and eTeas online filing

- Maintained knowledge of both foreign and U.S. patent law

* Coordinated all daily administrative aspects of IP department

* Provided administrative support to IP department

* Trained and mentored patent administrative staff

* Independently completed departmental projects as directed

* Performed legal research using Dialog, Delphion, Westlaw, USPTO and other online databases

* Developed, implemented and monitored users of Pioneer's web-based online IP training system

* Administered in-house California CLE program

Senior Licensing Assistant (1990 – 1995)

* Prepared written reports, documents, correspondence, departmental budgets and other administrative tasks for the Executive Vice President and Department Manager

* Designed and prepared graphics of financial, patent, and marketing data

* Performed patent research

* Provided litigation support

Patent Secretary (1987 – 1990)

* Assisted with all aspects of domestic patent prosecution, including preparation and filing of forms and relevant documents with the USPTO, drafting correspondence, and organizing and maintaining client files

ADOHR FARMS, Santa Ana, CA 1983 - 1987

Administrative Assistant

* Provided administrative support to Div. Controller, Asst. Div. Controller, and Credit Manager

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE, Riverside, CA 1981 - 1983

Administrative Assistant

* Provided administrative support to Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Management

KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, Irvine, CA 1971 - 1981 1971 - 1981

Legal Assistant/Secretary

* Provided full-spectrum legal support

* Assisted with all aspects of domestic patent and trademark prosecution, including preparation and filing of forms and relevant documents with the USPTO, drafting correspondence with clients, and organizing and maintaining client files

* Provided litigation support

* Transcribed dictation, maintained attorney’s calendar, prepared expense reports, and coordinated travel arrangements

* Prepared billing statements for approximately 10 attorneys

EDUCATION

Chris Business College, Anaheim, CA (Certificate – Legal Secretary)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Patents and Patent Process Seminar

Advanced Patent Cooperation Treaty Seminar

Advanced Intellectual Property Practice for Paralegal Seminar

U.S. Trademark Practice for Paralegals Seminar

International Trademark Practice for Paralegals Seminar

Legal Secretaries & Administrators Conference

Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Dialog Training

Computer Packages, Inc. User Group Training

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

Paralegal (under Business & Professions Code '6450 Section c(4))

California Notary Public – Commission Expires 1/20/2013

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