IP Patent Prosecution Supervisor
$102.3k - $163.7k
Expert
Washington, DC, USA
HybridHybrid in-office and remote schedule.
LegalIntellectual Property (IP)
About the job
Requirements
- A high school diploma is required; some post-high-school education is preferred.
- A minimum of 10 years of patent experience and a minimum of three years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong proofreading skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Time management and organizational skills to prioritize work.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to think critically and understand broader effects.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with individuals with differing opinions and personalities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and iManage, and ability to adapt to new software programs.
- A team-oriented attitude.
- Flexibility with overtime is required.
Responsibilities
- Perform tasks in support of the Senior Manager of Patent Support Services while managing an assigned docket and collaborating with the IP Prosecution team and attorneys.
- Lead employee training; plan, assign, and direct work assignments; assist the regional manager with interviewing, hiring, and appraising performance; address complaints and resolve problems; and assist with recruiting new patent prosecution specialists, including interviewing and new-hire training.
- Review and approve requested leave and timesheets.
- Update and improve the Firm's patent administrative processes, procedures, and forms.
- Lead special projects and overflow work.
- Establish clear expectations, set direction and priorities, balance workloads among staff, resolve internal staff issues, keep staff appropriately informed, build an effective team, and delegate at an appropriate level.
- Support staff development by providing opportunities, giving timely feedback on work product, and regularly coaching, evaluating, and recognizing staff performance and accomplishments.
- Establish and adhere to the Department budget, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce expenses by streamlining operations.
- Supervise daily operations of patent prosecution staff, including workflow and assignments, quality control, and work coordination; develop, implement, and maintain team best practices.
- Prepare non-technical prosecution documents, including Notices to File Missing Parts, Notices to File Corrected Application Papers, Inventor Declarations, Assignments, and Powers of Attorney.
- Review and process Filing Receipts, Notices of Recordation, Office Actions, Notices of Allowances, Recordations of Assignment, Letters Patent, Certificates of Correction, and Notices of Publication in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.
- Contact the USPTO with status questions and contact patent examiners regarding missing information.
- Arrange for draftsmen to correct drawings as necessary.
- Monitor the patent docket and create and update client status charts and reports.
- Prepare patent prosecution documents, including transcribing written or verbal instructions, producing patent applications, correspondence, reports, and memoranda, and proofreading and redlining.
- Prepare pre-issuance documents, including Issue Fee Payments, Publication Fee Payments, and Requests for Recomputations of Patent Term Adjustment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
- Some post-high-school education.
About the company
Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP is a global law firm offering corporate, transactional, litigation, and regulatory services, with additional focus on finance, restructuring, IP, and labor and employment law. It operates over 2,200 attorneys across 30 offices in North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, serving Fortune 100 clients and startups in industries such as energy and financial services. The firm coordinates practice-area teams to handle complex deals, disputes, and regulatory matters for a diverse client base. Founded in 1873, it maintains a long-standing reputation and broad geographic reach to help clients navigate legal challenges worldwide.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded
1873
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- 2026 brought hires Sara Kalis, Andres Liivak, and Paul Feldberg, strengthening key growth practices.
- Morgan Lewis earned 66 Legal 500 rankings and new Tier 1 Technology Transactions recognition.
- Chambers 2026 added new rankings in Capital Markets, IP, and Litigation, signaling broad momentum.
What critics are saying
- AmLaw rivals like Paul Weiss and Kirkland keep poaching laterals, compressing Morgan Lewis margins in 2026.
- Labor and IP work depends on cyclical disputes; weak deal and litigation pipelines quickly hit utilization.
- Big-client concentration in Amazon, JPMorgan, Pfizer, and Tesla creates existential revenue risk if one relationship breaks.
What makes Morgan Lewis unique
- Morgan Lewis has 155 Chambers USA practice rankings and 333 ranked lawyers in 2026.
- Its labor and employment bench spans major offices, including new hires from Amazon and Hunton.
- The firm pairs elite IP, life sciences, and investigations capabilities across North America, Europe, and Asia.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Parental Leave
- Mental Health Support
- Hybrid Work Options