IP Patent Prosecution Project Assistant Interview Questions

How long were you a temp?

9 months

What were your job duties? What is your experience in?

At Lifeproof, I assisted the IP Practice Manager and the VP of Legal and Business Affairs. -Maintained/organized physical filing system for Intellectual Property matters including Patents (Utility and Design), Trademark, and Copyright -Docketed deadlines regarding Intellectual Property matters -Prepare images for design application drawings -Retrieve cited patents for review per office actions Once OtterBox acquired LifeProof, I continued to support the Legal Practice Manager, Associate General Counsel, and a Patent Attorney. -Patent family trees -Prepare office actions for attorney review -Update IP Portfolio Databases (I know a docketing system, but most of the others I will able to catch on relatively easily) -Prepare claim charts for analysis -Assist with image manipulation for patent application figures -Retrieve patent applications, publications, and patents via online IP databases (i.e. PAIR, Google Patents, FPO) -Prepare Information Disclosure Statements for filing -Assist with patent application filings Once I transitioned from Blue Ocean to Otter Products, I continued to support the Legal Practice Manager, the IP Acquisition Counsel, and a Patent Attorney, as well as the IP Acquisition team from Fort Collins and Seattle. There was one patent attorney in Seattle, and 2 patent attorneys and one patent agent in Colorado. I currently assist the IP team with special projects such as: -Created, maintained, and updated patent family trees -Competitor infringement analysis via claim charts -Prepare pending claims and prior art in response to office actions and notice of allowances for attorney review -Prepare and file Information Disclosure Statements, US Utility Patent Applications, and Office Action Responses. (We do not handle foreign IP matters as they are primarily handled by outside counsel)

Tell me about yourself.

I am an intellectual property legal assistant with three years of experience and I provide support to the IP acquisition team in patent prosecution. My duties include filing utility patent applications, information disclosure statements, and office action responses. Though my IP experience is in-house, my skills are transferrable to law firms and I am adaptable to change. I have proven that I can support an IP team consisting of patent attorneys, patent agents, and paralegals as well as interacting with outside counsel. ELIZABETH PHOENIX GROUP VERBAL SANDWICH I am an intellectual property legal assistant with three years of experience and I provided support to the IP acquisition team in patent prosecution. My duties included filing utility patent applications, information disclosure statements, and office action responses. With my IP experience, I have proven that I can support an IP team consisting of patent attorneys, patent agents, and paralegals as well as interact with outside counsel. With my experience and abilities, I am the perfect fit for this position. Her E-mail vvvvvvvvvvvvv You would essentially be supporting the entire IP team - assisting attorneys and paralegals with the prosecution of US and foreign patents and trademarks. They are looking for someone with 2+ years of Patent Prosecution experience, with knowledge of PCT process, knowledge of patent procedural requirements, and USPTO practices.

How did you get hired at LifeProof?

I started through at temp agency (Aerotek/Sedona Staffing) and they hired me permanently.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ What kind of compensation are you looking for?

I would like my compensation package to reflect my experience and skillset. Therefore, my hourly rate range is from 25 to 29 dollars.

Relationship to Kethya?

Kethya was my direct supervisor at LifeProof.

Why would you want to move from in-house to a law firm?

My career goals are to become a patent attorney. Working in a law firm can diversify my IP experience so that I can accomplish my career goal.

What are you making right now? Current hourly rate?

My current compensation package including bonuses, year end payouts, and profit sharing makes my hourly rate range from 25 to 29 dollars.

What was your starting salary?

My starting salary does not reflect my experience and qualifications I currently have. I would like my compensation package to reflect my experience and skill set. DO NOT SAY UNTIL IT IS NEEDED OR IF ASKED: (Therefore, my hourly rate range is from 25 to 29 dollars.)

(Something I don't have experience in) TM, C

Those are being handled by different paralegals and the patent agent handles most of the formalities. However, I do assist with the preparation of formalities. Our IP group has a person dedicated to handling trademarks and design patents Foreign IP matters are handled by outside counsel

In reference to skills preferred but not required, Sequence listing preparation, MS Visio, Preparing Canadian Section 29 responses, Preparing Israeli Section 18 responses, Preparing Indian Annexures to Form 3.

Those job duties were handled by different paralegals. However, I have assisted with patent prosecution and can incorporate any of those skills to the process. As an example, sequence listing preparation is part of the application filing process, so I can quickly learn how to include it as an Application Part. An example is MS Visio. I have experience using similar image manipulation software such as GIMP. Therefore, I can quickly learn to use MS Visio. Those are being handled by different paralegals and the patent agent handles most of the formalities. However, I do assist with the preparation of formalities. Our IP group has a person dedicated to handling trademarks and design patents Foreign IP matters are handled by outside counsel

Tell me about your organizational skills. Give me an example of your organizational abilities.

When I began at LifeProof, 1. I helped set up and organize its legal department. For example I created a work order tracking system. 2. We initially a physical filing system for our IP matters and I helped transition it to an electronic filing system with shared cloud system. 3. I also helped maintain and update the corresponding documents and files such as new correspondence from outside counsel and revised claims in office actions. 4. Additionally, to facilitate EFS filing for myself and the attorneys, I created a pre-filing checklist for patent applications and office action responses.

Closing Statement

With my experience and abilities, I am the perfect fit for this position.

Working with any other recruiters?

Yes. IF ASK WHO I would like to keep that information confidential.

Do you have any questions for me?

Yes. Explain job duties. How long? Can you tell me a bit about the company? How does your recruiting process work? Will you be my main contact? Where is the position located in San Diego?

Resume bullets

● Prepared pending claims and prior art references in response to office actions and notices of allowance for attorney review that met filing deadlines.