Fenwick & West LLP

Lead and optimize patent operations, develop strategic roadmaps, and oversee technology and vendor relationships within a large legal or patent environment. | Extensive experience in patent operations, legal process management, and leadership in a complex, multi-disciplinary setting, with proficiency in patent management systems and legal compliance. | Job Description Summary: The Associate Director, Patent Operations serves as a strategic and operational leader within the Patent Practice Area, responsible for driving excellence, innovation, and efficiency across all facets of patent operations. This role partners closely with practice leadership and attorneys/agents, and to ensure the patent operational infrastructure, resources, and processes are aligned with the firm's strategic objectives. The Associate Director will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-office/cross-practice initiatives, and advance long-term plans that enhance quality, consistency, profitability, and client service delivery. This position can be based in any of our U.S. office locations and offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing you to work both from home and at your designated Fenwick office. The frequency of in-office work will be determined by business needs and guided by your department's directives. Job Description: Strategic Leadership & Planning • Partner with the IP Director and firm leadership to define and execute the operational strategy for the Patent Practice Group. • Develop and implement multi-year operational roadmaps, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and alignment with firm priorities. • Evaluate and optimize resource allocation, staffing models, and process workflows to drive sustainable performance. Operational Excellence • Lead the design and implementation of innovative operational frameworks and technology solutions to streamline workflows, specifically Patricia workflow designs and workflows with 3rd party solutions. • Manage and share performance metrics to measure operational success and identify areas for improvement. • Ensure compliance with firm policies, client guidelines, and applicable patent rules and regulations. • Develop, maintain, and enforce operational policies, procedures, and best practices across all patent teams. Leadership & Team Development • Provide executive oversight and leadership to the patent docketing department, the international filing department, the legal support analysts, and related operational teams. • Mentor and develop managers and teams lead to strengthen leadership capabilities. • Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and client service excellence. • Lead change management initiatives to support new technologies, processes, and organizational structures. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner with firm departments such as Finance, IT, HR, and Risk Management to ensure cohesive operational integration. • Collaborate with partners and practice leaders to anticipate client and business needs, ensuring operational readiness and agility. • Collaborate with the trademark practice leadership to ensure consistency in resources and management within IP. Technology & Vendor Management • Oversee the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of patent operations software and technology platforms, including closely collaborating with the patent practice support lawyer. • Manage relationships and contracts with third-party vendors and service providers, ensuring value and alignment with firm standards. Performance & Reporting • Develop and deliver executive-level reports and presentations highlighting performance trends, operational insights, and strategic recommendations. • Monitor KPIs, operational data, and productivity metrics to guide decision-making and continuous improvement. Thought Leadership • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving patent law regulations to proactively assess impact and opportunities. • Represent the firm in industry groups and forums related to IP operations and management best practices. Travel Requirement • Travel to all firm offices on a quarterly basis is required to ensure consistent operational oversight, leadership presence, and cross-office/cross-practice alignment. Desired Skills & Qualifications • In-depth knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent prosecution processes, docketing systems, and patent operations infrastructure. • Demonstrated experience in building and scaling operational systems for large patent prosecution teams. • Expertise in IP docketing and data management platforms, with proficiency in EFS, PAIR, EPAS, WIPO, and PTO Financial Manager. • Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in a complex, fast-paced environment. • Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organization. • Strong analytical and financial acumen, with experience interpreting and leveraging operational data to drive decisions. • Ability to lead through change, inspire high performance, and foster a collaborative, high-trust culture. • Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate business needs and develop long-term solutions. • Commitment to client service excellence and continuous improvement. • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and patent management software platforms. • Exceptional written, verbal, and organizational skills. • High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information. Reporting to the IP and Regulatory Practice Group Director, the ideal candidate will have a minimum of (10) years of experience in patent operations and at least (5) years in a leadership/management capacity. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or project management certification (e.g., MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma) preferred. Benefits and Compensation Details: At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing. Except as otherwise required by law, temporary employees are generally not entitled to these benefits. The anticipated range for this position is: $168,000 - $251,250 Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.

Provide administrative and litigation support including document handling, scheduling, expense reporting, and coordination with attorneys and vendors in a hybrid legal office environment. | Entry-level litigation administrative assistant with 1-2 years administrative experience preferred, proficiency in Microsoft Office, strong communication and organizational skills, and ability to work on-site three days per week. | Job Description Summary:The Business Center (“BC”) plays a vital role in offering best-in-class administrative support services to the firm’s attorneys and business professionals. We are seeking an entry-level Litigation Administrative Assistant who will report to Legal Administrative Services, but work out of the Business Center, and provide essential support to the firm’s litigation personnel and clients. The position’s goal is to introduce an individual to the basic understanding of legal terms, documents, pleadings, and tasks, building their competency to provide administrative and litigation support in a demanding legal environment. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who desires to execute the firm’s vision for an innovative, high performing team and demonstrates a capacity to collaborate effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and administrative team members. The position is an excellent opportunity to work in an engaging, dynamic environment, where teamwork, growth, and dedication to delivering superior service are valued and rewarded. This position offers a hybrid schedule and requires three days on-site in our Mountain View office with the possibility of additional required in-office days depending on business and client needs. The work schedule for this position will be 40 hours per week (non-exempt), Monday - Friday, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Job Description: First Phase: The role will first learn administrative tasks, such as: Process and submit expense reports on behalf of clients (attorney or business professional). Arrange and coordinate conference room requests, including catering and audio/visual equipment needs. Upon request, arrange and coordinate travel arrangements and assist with logistical issues for travelers. Perform document handling, including document editing, printing, scanning, copying, and filing. Support the attorney’s time entry process by editing and correcting time narratives using the firm’s time-entry system (InTapp). Assist with monthly review of prebills prior to attorney entering to finalize. Assist with proofreading work product and firm generated materials. Schedule and coordinate messengers and other vendors for pickup and delivery. Act as a liaison for Firm personnel and help them navigate the firm’s departments and resources. Participate in check-ins with litigation team and paralegals to create positive working relationships and to provide excellent support. Participate in special projects, as assigned/requested and provide support as needed. Other tasks assigned based on needs of the group. Second Phase: Litigation Practice Begin a robust training program structured to convert trainees into capable litigation professionals. The curriculum is designed to cover essential knowledge areas and develop the necessary skills through hands-on experience. Advancement into a role within the Litigation Practice Group depends on how quickly and accurately the individual learns and applies litigation practices. Desired Skills and Qualifications: Demonstrate a working proficiency in Microsoft Office applications – Word; Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Develop a working knowledge with applications such as Chrome River, Maptician, iManage, EMS, Prebill Viewer, and InTapp. Exhibit a high level of attention to detail to ensure the accuracy and quality of work product. Demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills, both written and verbal. Demonstrate the ability to follow complex instructions and if unsure, have the confidence to ask clarifying questions. Proofread materials/work product carefully and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, or typography. Possess the interpersonal skills necessary to support positive working relationships and to effectively communicate and interact with others, demonstrating poise, tact, and diplomacy. Protect and handle confidential and sensitive information with care and discretion. Provide exemplary client service to internal and external clients by collaborating with various departments, firm executive personnel, vendors and contractors. The ability to embrace and apply current technology and the drive to learn new tools and system processes quickly and confidently. Support and promote effective work practices, work as a team member, and show respect for all firm personnel. Service mindset and the ability to take the initiative, think critically, identify, problem-solve, and assemble/coordinate appropriate resources and responses. Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Must be flexible and able to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Legal Administrative Services, the ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of administrative experience in the legal industry or professional services firm (preferred), and a basic interest in law and legal proceedings. A bachelor's degree is preferred. Benefits and Compensation Details: At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing. The anticipated range for this position is: $57,000 - $77,250 Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request. Our Story For more than five decades, Fenwick & West has helped some of the world’s most recognized companies become, and remain, market leaders. From emerging enterprises to large public corporations, our clients are leaders in the technology, life sciences and cleantech sectors and are fundamentally changing the world through rapid innovation. Having worked alongside such progressive and cutting edge companies for so long, our culture has come to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of our client base. Unlike traditional law firms, we move at our clients’ speed and have earned the reputation as a go-to law firm for growing companies that need insightful, strategic counsel to help tackle the challenging issues that arise when the law cannot keep up with their pace of innovation. With the same passion for excellence and innovation reflected in our client base, our firm is making revolutionary changes to the practice of law through substantial investments in proprietary technology tools and processes. Our clients demand—and deserve—new ways to receive best-in-class legal services more effectively. At Fenwick, we are proud to be shaping our legal services to do just that. We are proud to have been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area for the twelfth year. Fenwick & West LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and, as such, conducts all employment-related activities without regard to unlawful consideration of race, religion, color, marital status, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, gender, genetic characteristics or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal employment discrimination laws. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all. At the discretion of the recruiting department, we accept submissions by agency recruiters when a fee agreement has been established between the firm and the agency. Agency recruiters, please submit candidates here. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. To view our privacy policy click here.