IP Paralegal I

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Responsibilities
1. Knowledge of US and foreign patent procedures.
2. Monitors progress of patent cases and patent attorney/agent dockets through use of USPTO Patent Center, IP Management Software and Document Management System.
3. Prioritizes current workload efficiently building on the ability to handle multiple heavy dockets and learning best practices to manage multiple tasks including managing outside counsel e-mail review.
4. Reviews patent application files to check for compliance with USPTO requirements and BMS department standards.
5. Knowledge and working experience of the USPTO Patent Center filing system in order to independently draft and prepare simple to moderately complex patent legal documents for submission to the USPTO including (but not limited to) patent applications, figures, sequence listings (ST.26), amendments, information disclosure statements (track IDS families and references, obtain references, prepare and file IDS 1449 form/SB08a forms), office action responses, requests for continued examination, notices of appeal, reply briefs, allowance checklists, allowed claims, issue fee payments, etc.
6. Complete notice of allowance checklist, and prepare and file issue fee transmittals, review and proof issued patents, as applicable, prepare and files certificates of correction, review, and proof certificates of correction.
7. Prepare, send, and track formal documents to inventors/clients for signature. Review and file/record with the USPTO.
8. Provide assistance to attorneys with correspondences to worldwide foreign patent agents.
9. Familiarity with the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 37) and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), to enable ability to identify legal issues/problems based on knowledge of PTO procedures. Desired but not mandatory.
10. Basic knowledge of Patent Term Adjustment. Desired but not mandatory with training available.
11. Excellent organizational and accountability skills, takes initiative to follow up with inventors, outside counsel law firms and agents to meet critical deadline dates.
12. Sets own standards of performance and works to meet standards; takes initiative to expand own knowledge of PTO rules.
13. Assist the team with daily workflow tasks and projects in a high volume, fast paced practice while timely identifying and prioritizing time sensitive matters.

Administrative
1. Process and reconcile expense reports.
2. Travel Arrangement
3. Organizes meetings for attorneys/agents including meeting agenda and meeting minutes preparation.
4. Seeks out opportunities to provide support to others (e.g., counsel, agents, and assistants).

General Qualifications
1. Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, MS Teams
2. Knowledge of IP Management Software and Document Management Software
3. Form editing capability in Adobe Acrobat Pro
4. Familiarity use in templates and Word Doc forms. IP Management Software generated forms, preferable.
5. Basic skills and experience with Patent-In software to generate sequence listings. Desired but not mandatory with training available.
6. Preferred knowledge of domestic and foreign patent databases, e.g., PCT Patent Scope; ePCT.
7. Ability to search and procure patent references including U.S. and Foreign patents and journal articles.
8. Basic docketing experience with preferred exposure with an IP Management software application.
9. Edit capability in Chemdraw. Desired but not mandatory with training available.
10. Proactively manage casework and assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met in a timely manner. Communicate docket updates to Docketing Department.

Preferred Qualification:
• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years of work experience or Paralegal Certificate and 4+ years of work experience in a law firm, an in-house legal department, a consulting firm, or comparable experience elsewhere.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities while working independently.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and excellent time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Adaptability and openness to learning, embracing changes in procedures and new technologies.

#LI-Hybrid

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.