Patent Legal Associate

Air Products • Full-time • Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States • 3m ago

At Air Products, our purpose is to bring people together to reimagine what’s possible, collaborate and innovate solutions to the world’s most significant energy and environmental sustainability challenges. Grow with us as we embark on building tomorrow together by being the safest, most diverse and most profitable industrial gas company in the world.

Reimagine What’s Possible

The selected candidate will:

Provide primary administrative support to at least two IP Attorneys, a Patent Agent, and two IP Paralegals, and will provide backup support to two other IP Attorneys and two other IP Paralegals on an as-needed basis.
Assist with the management of paper files, including working with other business functions and Air Products’ outside storage vendor to ensure compliance with document retention policies.
Be responsible for processing invoices for the IP legal department, including entering new vendor records, submitting invoices for weekly payment processing, providing reports, and researching and resolving billing questions.

Additional functions include (but are not limited to):

Preparing and filing patent applications, office action responses, petitions, information disclosure statements, assignments, and other necessary documents electronically via Patent Center (USPTO) or ePCT online portal.
Obtaining information required from inventors and others to support patent filing and patent prosecution activities.
Corresponding with external patent counsel/agents and other support services to provide instructions, obtain translations, arrange for notarization or legalization of documents, etc.
Determining course of action for all incoming correspondence (email and post) from USPTO and foreign patent counsel/agents.
Working within Air Products’ IP docketing system (Foundation IP) to enter and search for information, create and run reports, and maintain and manage attorney docket reports, etc.
Processing requests for payments to USPTO and EP deposit accounts.
Providing general administrative support (e.g. making travel arrangements, preparing expense reports, managing calendars, ordering supplies, proofreading documents, drafting correspondence for attorney review, preparing legal documents, letters, and general correspondence).
Opening new electronic files.
Maintaining organization of Law Group file rooms.

Requirements:

At least five years’ experience as a patent administrative assistant or paralegal (preferably, in a corporate law department).
Experience with the USPTO’s electronic filing systems (e.g., Patent Center, Assignment Center, Certified Copy Center) and the ePCT online portal.
Experience with IP docketing systems and IP-related databases; experience with Foundation IP and electronic recording keeping a plus.
Familiarity with patent rules/requirements generally.
Proficient with the Microsoft Office suite of applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat.
Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational and prioritization skills, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with minimal-to-no supervision.
Proactive, flexible, and professional, and able to work well in group settings and across functions.
High school diploma, GED, or college degree

Air Products proudly values the skills, dedication, and leadership that veterans bring to the table. As a veteran-friendly organization, we actively encourage and welcome veterans to apply for various roles within our company. We recognize the unique strengths and experiences that veterans contribute, and we foster a workplace that honors your service while providing a platform for professional growth.

#INDDRI

We are the world’s largest hydrogen producer with over 80 years of industrial gas experience. We are hydrogen and industrial gas experts delivering safe, end-to-end solutions, investing in real, clean energy projects at scale, and driving the industry forward to generate a cleaner future.

At Air Products, we work in an environment where we put safety first, diversity is essential, inclusion is our culture, and each person knows they belong and matter. To learn more, visit About Air Products.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including paid holidays and vacation, affordable medical, dental, life insurance and retirement plans. You will be eligible for benefits and also be 100% vested in your retirement benefits on your first day of employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (U.S.). You will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, citizenship, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or veteran status.

Air Products is committed to working with and providing a reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail us at talent@airproducts.com. General application status inquiries are not answered by this mailbox rather you’ll receive an e-mail directly from our Career Center and/or the Talent Acquisition Specialist.