IP Legal Secretary - Join a Thriving National Law Firm in Costa Mesa, CA

Are you an experienced IP Legal Secretary with a passion for patent prosecution? Robert Half is excited to partner with a prestigious national law firm in Costa Mesa, California to find a dedicated professional for their Intellectual Property (IP) practice group. This is a full-time opportunity offering a supportive environment, short 7.5-hour workdays, and a beautiful renovated office complete with snacks. With five legal assistants placed here in the last two years—all reporting high satisfaction—this role promises stability and growth in the heart of Orange County's legal hub.

About the Role

As an IP Legal Assistant/Secretary, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting patent prosecution workflows for a congenial team of IP attorneys. Prior experience in patent prosecution is mandatory, ensuring you hit the ground running in this paperless, high-tech environment. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, this position offers backup docketing from the Phoenix-based department while focusing on precise USPTO filings and database searches. Ideal candidates thrive on detail-oriented tasks, multitasking, and learning firm-specific processes in a drama-free setting.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will involve hands-on patent work with a filing volume fluctuating from less than 1 to 5+ per day:

• Preparing and filing comprehensive patent (and occasional trademark) applications, including application data sheets, inventor declarations, powers of attorney, information disclosure statements (IDS), preliminary amendments, office action responses, and appeals directly with the USPTO.
• Ensuring utmost accuracy in all three core elements of patent applications, such as claims sets, to prevent costly errors.
• Creating efficient document shells for attorneys, streamlining responses to office actions.
• Managing docketing duties with backup calendaring in Outlook or Excel, including proactive deadline reminders for attorneys.
• Conducting thorough searches across key IP databases: USPTO, TEAS, TARR, WIPO, and international offices like Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EU.
• Leveraging specialized software including Anaqua for IP management, NetDocs for document handling, inTapp, iTimekeeper for timekeeping, CPi, AMS, and Adobe tools for bate stamping, signatures, and pagination in a fully paperless office.

Required Qualifications

To excel, bring these must-have skills and traits:

• Patent prosecution experience—non-negotiable for seamless integration.
• Proficiency in IP tools: Anaqua, NetDocs, inTapp, iTimekeeper, CPi, AMS, Adobe.
• Exceptional attention to detail to spot issues like missing inventor names or deadlines.
• Multitasking prowess to pivot between tasks fluidly.
• A learner's mentality: 'I've done this before, but how does your team do it?'
• Drama-free, low-key professional—no social butterfly needed, and zero cell phone use during work hours (not tolerated).
• Comfort with variable filing volumes and international IP searches.

SEO keywords: IP Legal Secretary jobs Costa Mesa CA, patent prosecution assistant, USPTO filing specialist, Anaqua NetDocs roles Orange County.

Why Join Us?

This firm stands out with its employee-first culture:

• Approachability from polite, congenial IP attorneys—no micromanaging.
• Top-tier training from the Sr. Legal Assistant (22 years at firm, 30 in IP).
• Strong tenure across staff reflects respect and low drama.
• 7.5-hour days, snacks, and a stunning office.
• Pro bono focus with nonprofit partnerships adds purpose.
• Personalized 1:1 career coaching from the firm administrator.

Competitive salary around $75,000 annually, plus benefits. Apply now via Robert Half for IP Legal Secretary careers in Costa Mesa, CA—your next stable, rewarding role awaits!