Cooley is seeking a Director of IP Practice Services to lead the IP Practice Services team.

Position Summary: Working with the Practice Group leadership, the director is responsible for all administrative and operational functions of the Patent Prosecution & Counseling and Trademark, Copyright & Advertising practice groups. The director coordinates and ensures quality support and services for the practice group from all other Firm administrative departments and consults with Practice Group Leaders, Best Practices Committees and Partner Advisors to develop and maintain procedures that ensure efficient and accurate completion of patent and trademark functions. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position Responsibilities:

• Work with partners in the practice groups to lead the strategic direction and development of IP Practice Services.
• Responsible for IP Client Service, IP Operations, and IP Staffing & Employee Resources functions, and serving as the overall team leader of the IP Management Team.
• Responsible for management of various IP Practice Services support and management roles as well as IP timekeeper business professionals. This includes strategic staffing guidance, position analysis and approval, performance management, risk management, training and cross-office workload balancing.
• In consult with HR, guide IP Staffing & Employee Resource Manager in resolving personnel issues. Manage directly with HR more complex employee counseling that has moved beyond Manager level.
• Responsible for coordination of Practice Group Leader and Partner Advisor meetings and agendas.
• Attend and contribute to IP Partner meetings as necessary and required.
• Responsible for implementation of annual practice goals and objectives as developed by the IP Management Team.
• Responsible for expense budget and fixed fee income budget for IP Practice Services.
• Responsible for performance feedback process of IP Practice Services.
• Lead and manage cross-departmental teams to address client demands, resolve service issues, correct procedural problems, etc.
• Responsible for IP business professional continuing education programs and IP group meetings and retreats.
• Act as point of contact for reports of potential risk management issues, evaluate reports and refer to appropriate parties for resolution.
• Responsible for driving innovation and efficiency across the department and for patent and trademark practitioners by staying current on new technologies, new vendors and solutions, and industry standards, as well as working in concert with colleagues in Information Services (IS).
• Responsible for all specialized IP Systems utilized by the Patent and Trademark groups including: the Docket Management System, form and correspondence generation software, cost estimation platforms, IP Practitioner efficiency and productivity tools, Patent and Trademark Searching, and ensuring reliable and consistent access to efiling websites such as EFS Web, Patent Center, and ePCT. Advise and improve upon internal databases, systems, and products as they are developed.
• Responsible (in partnership with IS management) for guiding development and update of annual IP Systems Roadmap and Plan.
• Review and approve (or recommend for approval by Practice Group Leaders, Best Practices Committees, and/or Partner Advisors) all departmental Policies and Procedures. Responsible for successful implementation of all departmental policies and procedures. Identify areas of needed policy and procedure development.
• Responsible for Process Management - creating parameters and strategic direction for any major initiative (e.g. integration of CPA/Inprotech, systems conversion, electronic office project, firmwide staffing models, staffing duty restructuring).
• Overall responsibility for management of new group or new office intake projects.
• Review fee structures, realization and staffing models as requested; conduct competitive analysis as needed.

• Special projects as assigned by PG leadership.

Other

• Obtain and coordinate support from Firm administrative departments including Information Governance, Human Resources, Finance, Business Intakes & Conflicts, Legal Intelligence, etc.
• Serve as mentor to indirect and direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests.
• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities.
• In collaboration with HR, manage hiring, performance appraisals, counselings, terminations and other employee lifecycle events for department.
• All other duties as assigned or required.

Skills & Experience:

Required:

• 10+ years directly applicable exempt-level industry experience with at least 5+ years management experience.
• Prior law firm and/or professional services firm experience with proven ability to lead and motivate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.), Outlook, Intapp, Adobe Acrobat, and other Firm applications.
• Must be able to travel to other offices as needed.
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• After training at Cooley, must exhibit proficiency in and knowledge of patent and trademark prosecution procedures, as well as basic knowledge of litigation procedures.
• College degree.
• Strong analytical skills and outstanding project management skills.

Competencies:

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Ability to speak in both business and technical terms.
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong team player who can successfully interact with all levels of employees and vendors.
• Proven ability to manage, coach and motivate.
• Ability to solve problems independently and simultaneously, effectively juggling multiple tasks.
• Professional demeanor at all times.
• Strong analytical ability and implementation skills.
• Strategic thinker with great project management skills, and with a strong technical aptitude and understanding.
• The ability to build a strong network with peers in similar roles and to become an active member in applicable professional organizations to stay abreast of market changes and trends in IP Services.
• Confident, solution-oriented worker.

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position is $240,000 - $285,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 25 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.