Experience

Sughrue Mion PLLC

• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Manager, IDS and Formalities Department

  • Dec 2022 - Present

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States • Manage the IDS and Formalities Department including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. • Interact with firm leadership, management, attorneys/paralegals, and staff to ensure operational concerns are addressed in a timely fashion. • Develop and enforce best practices and process improvements to ensure high-level service is… Show more • Manage the IDS and Formalities Department including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. • Interact with firm leadership, management, attorneys/paralegals, and staff to ensure operational concerns are addressed in a timely fashion. • Develop and enforce best practices and process improvements to ensure high-level service is provided and risk management is achieved, including quality review of work product. • Establish, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures, employee learning paths and training resources for new and existing staff. • Direct and prioritize workflow with a strong focus on accuracy, productivity standards, and risk management. • Evaluate, and revise workflow processes and procedures to improve efficiency and to proactively respond to changes in USPTO rules and procedures. • Ensure staff are effectively utilized, productive, delivering quality work product efficiently. Track staff productivity and department processing times to ensure staff performance can be quantified on a regular basis. • Provide monthly department status reports, which include issues of performance, outstanding problems, and suggested resolutions. • Review staff hours, evaluate staffing requirements, and make recommendations regarding staffing needs. • Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback on performance, productivity, merit increases and bonuses. Conduct annual performance reviews as well as new hire evaluations. • Work on the recruitment, interview, and selection process of new staff and compensation. Coordinate with HR on disciplinary actions. • Approve timecards and time off. Coordinate workloads when staff members are on extended leave or leave the firm. • Ensure appropriate records are maintained for departmental activity in compliance with the firm’s requirements for liability management.

• Secretarial Coordinator

  • Dec 2016 - Dec 2022

  Washington D.C. Metro Area • Provided daily oversight and mentoring to staff in the areas of workflow coordination, quality, and training. • Served as a first level response to questions and issues from staff and attorneys. Served as a representative voice and leader for the team. • Assisted with integration of staff new to Intellectual Property and provided ongoing support for existing staff. • Developed, monitored, and coordinated policies and procedures for training staff. • Monitored daily docket… Show more • Provided daily oversight and mentoring to staff in the areas of workflow coordination, quality, and training. • Served as a first level response to questions and issues from staff and attorneys. Served as a representative voice and leader for the team. • Assisted with integration of staff new to Intellectual Property and provided ongoing support for existing staff. • Developed, monitored, and coordinated policies and procedures for training staff. • Monitored daily docket coverage and ensured filings were handed in a timely manner. • Supervised workflow and assignments, coordinated workloads/responsibilities, and provided opportunities for cross-training in all areas. • Acted as back-up to all secretarial positions (or assigned back-ups as necessary) to maintain firm workflow when warranted due to workload or staffing needs. • Monitored metrics and provided periodic reports and analyses on staff productivity and performance. • Promoted adherence to firm policies and best practices. Monitored and managed overtime. • Supervised the performance of staff, including providing ongoing performance feedback. • Participated in the annual staff performance evaluation process as well as new hire evaluations. • Analyzed incoming client and USPTO correspondence. Assigned, docketed, or replied as needed. • Quality reviewed work for patent secretaries regarding USPTO filings and client procedures. • Maintained department docket for US Patent Prosecution, including adding, removing, moving and updating information as necessary.



Crowell & Moring

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Applications & Formalities Specialist

  • Sep 2014 - Dec 2016

  Washington D.C. Metro Area • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed all aspects of Patent prosecution. • Provided training and support for new employees and team members. • Reviewed work for team members regarding USPTO filings and client procedures. • Offered as-needed assistance when manager and/or coordinators were out. • Drafted and sent correspondence regarding filings, client inquiries, and other issues. • Maintained docket, including adding, removing, moving and updating information as… Show more • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed all aspects of Patent prosecution. • Provided training and support for new employees and team members. • Reviewed work for team members regarding USPTO filings and client procedures. • Offered as-needed assistance when manager and/or coordinators were out. • Drafted and sent correspondence regarding filings, client inquiries, and other issues. • Maintained docket, including adding, removing, moving and updating information as necessary. Show less



Sheldon Mak & Anderson

• Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant

  • Jun 2013 - Jul 2014

  • Worked directly with 2 attorneys to manage their dockets on a daily basis.
  • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed Patent Applications, Declarations, Assignments, Powers of Attorney, IDSs, Office Action Responses, Response to Missing Parts, Revivals, Petitions, Extensions of Time, Maintenance Fees, Issue Fees, Requests for Corrected Filing Receipts.
  • Filed U.S. Trademark Applications, Extensions of Time, Responses, Amendments, Statements of Use and Requests to… Show more • Worked directly with 2 attorneys to manage their dockets on a daily basis.
  • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed Patent Applications, Declarations, Assignments, Powers of Attorney, IDSs, Office Action Responses, Response to Missing Parts, Revivals, Petitions, Extensions of Time, Maintenance Fees, Issue Fees, Requests for Corrected Filing Receipts.
  • Filed U.S. Trademark Applications, Extensions of Time, Responses, Amendments, Statements of Use and Requests to Divide.
  • Updated due dates after filings and upon receipt of USPTO communications.
  • Received incoming USPTO communications, reported to client and docketed due dates.
  • Prepared and filed U.S. Copyright Applications.
  • Set up and monitored Watch Services for registered trademarks.
  • Drafted client correspondence and reminders, corresponded directly with clients regarding due dates, client questions, application information, and other issues.
  • Entered attorney time in Elite and generated client invoices.
  • Compiled monthly IP status reports for certain clients, or upon special request.
  • Worked with foreign associate associates on foreign patent and trademark applications. Show less



Steinfl & Bruno

• Patent Assistant

  • Jan 2013 - Jul 2013

  Pasadena, CA • Worked directly with various attorneys to manage their dockets on a daily basis. • Worked with foreign associates on foreign patent applications. • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed all aspects of Patent prosecution. • Processed incoming USPTO communications, reported to client and docketed due dates.



Oliff PLC

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• IP Specialist

  • Jun 2012 - Nov 2012

  Alexandria, VA • Worked directly with 2 attorneys to manage their dockets on a daily basis. • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed all aspects of Patent prosecution. • Processed incoming USPTO communications, reported to client and docketed due dates.



Oblon

• United States
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Team Leader

  • Oct 2006 - Jun 2012

  Alexandria, VA Team Leader November 2009-June2012 • Maintained a department docket and performed weekly quality control checks. • Assigned work to team members and supervised workflow of 8 to 10 people. • Answered questions for team members and other firm employees. • Drafted, proofread, edited, and signed client correspondence regarding IDS problems. • Generated weekly reports compiling information on a variety of aspects. • Provided input for yearly employee reviews… Show more Team Leader November 2009-June2012 • Maintained a department docket and performed weekly quality control checks. • Assigned work to team members and supervised workflow of 8 to 10 people. • Answered questions for team members and other firm employees. • Drafted, proofread, edited, and signed client correspondence regarding IDS problems. • Generated weekly reports compiling information on a variety of aspects. • Provided input for yearly employee reviews and interviewed potential new employees. IP Specialist February 2008-November 2009 • Worked directly with 2 attorneys to manage their dockets on a daily basis. • Prepared, proofread and electronically filed all aspects of Patent prosecution. • Processed incoming USPTO communications, reported to client and docketed due dates. File Reviewer May 2007-February 2008 • Proofread Issue Notifications, Recorded Assignments, Letters Patents, and Notices of Allowance. • Answered questions regarding errors and client reporting letters. • Proofread and signed client correspondence. IDS Specialist October 2006-May 2007 • Prepared and filed IDSs. • Reported filings to clients. Show less