Careers 

We are pleased in your interest in a career with us. Ditthavong, Steiner, & Mlotkowski is committed in attracting, developing, and retaining the best people across our various practice areas and business services groups.

CURRENT OPENINGS

Patent Prosecution Specialist

A Patent Prosecution Specialist under the Filing department’s supervision will be a part of a busy team in preparing and filing documents to the United States Patent and Trademark Office by the Electronic Filing System (EFS).

Responsibilities

  • Preparation and Filing all forms of Patent Applications (Provisional, Non-provisional, Continuation, 371, PCT), Responses to Official Actions, Appeals and all other filings by EFS.

  • Reviews all incoming correspondence from foreign associates for essential docketing and for non-substantive responses due in connection with filing of applications.

  • On-going verbal and written communication with foreign associates, attorneys and clients during filing, prosecution and maintenance of domestic and foreign trademark applications.

  • Filing Trademark and Design Applications, Responses, etc.

  • Filing all documents in a timely manner with little to no supervision required.

  • Establishes and maintains good working relationship with attorneys and staff, but is not assigned to any single attorney. Will work as a team member with other similar legal specialists to establish back-up and workflow and will have joint responsibility for establishing quality control measures.

  • Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems; recording meeting discussions; maintaining transcripts; documenting and maintaining evidence.

Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Skills/Qualifications

  • A positive team player.

  • The motivation to work hard and taking initiative to the tasks at hand.

  • Strong attention to detail such as due dates, reference numbers, etc.

  • Exceptional organization, time management, and prioritizing skills.

  • Proficient with Outlook, QuickBooks, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

  • Proficient understanding of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP).

  • 3-5 years of patent admin experience using USPTO’s Filing system.

  • 4 year degree from an accredited college (preferred).

Other Details

Position Type: Full Time
Location: Alexandria, VA

 

 DSM is a boutique, global law firm — a firm comprised of talented individuals. We believe in developing leaders and working in conjunction with clients to provide the maximum value. Our fast pace and high quality environment sets us apart from other firms, as it is built on teamwork, excellence and respect. We are looking for highly talented people who can demonstrate an affinity with our values to help us achieve our vision of becoming the leading global intellectual property boutique law firm. Our continued success relies on our ability to provide a supportive, inclusive and motivating environment where everyone has a role to play in supporting the delivery of outstanding service to our clients. Our professionals are intelligent, hard-working, caring, open to change and strongly committed to their profession, their families and the communities they serve.

We are committed to offering opportunities for personal involvement and growth to each employee. Our regional, national and international clients look to DSM, for excellence in legal representation and advisory services. In turn, we seek individuals with the skills, enthusiasm and imagination to continue this record of high-quality service.

DSM is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and Employees in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, nationality, creed, citizenship, alienage, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, pregnancy, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, mental or physical disability, veteran status, liability for military service, whistleblower status, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.