Custom IP and Trademark Job Description

What a good one includes

• A clear definition of required jurisdiction expertise, such as USPTO filings, WIPO/Madrid System procedures, or regional trademark registries.
• Explicit mention of the proprietary or third-party IP docketing systems, like FoundationIP, CPI, or Anaqua, used by your organization.
• An unambiguous breakdown of tasks showing whether the role focuses on prosecution, maintenance, litigation support, or portfolio strategy.
• Realistic indicators of workload volume, such as the size of the existing trademark portfolio or the average number of monthly filings.
• A description of how the role interacts with external counsel, internal brand managers, and executive leadership.
• Accurate educational and professional requirements, distinguishing between paralegal certificates, USPTO registration, or specific state bar admissions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Many organizations reuse standard litigation paralegal templates, which fail to capture the highly technical and deadline-sensitive nature of trademark prosecution.
• Listing generic computer skills instead of naming the specific IP docketing and search tools your team uses leads to candidates who require extensive, costly training.
• Conflating patent prosecution with trademark administration confuses applicants, as these two fields require vastly different procedural knowledge and skill sets.
• Failing to emphasize the absolute, non-negotiable nature of statutory IP deadlines can attract candidates who lack the rigorous organizational skills required for docket management.

Frequently asked questions