Senior Counsel for Intellectual Property (IP) Legal Services

Full Job Description

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking a Senior Counsel who will perform a variety of complex and sensitive assignments relating to patent and trademark disciplinary matters that affect the livelihood of patent attorneys and agents throughout the United States and abroad.

To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position, candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience.

Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To be considered, the resume must not exceed two pages.

Written narratives for the Professional Technical Qualifications are not required.

Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS): Experience in prosecuting and/or examining patent cases, and knowledge of policies affecting patent prosecution and examination.

Ability to effectively advise on enrollment matters involving the Office of Enrollment and Discipline. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the PTQs.

Major Duties:

As the Senior Counsel for Intellectual Property (IP) Legal Services, you will apply rigorous scientific, technical, and legal standards to ensure that registered patent practitioners have the requisite knowledge to provide valuable services to the American public and prevent bad actors from defrauding American businesses and independent inventors.

Additional duties and responsibilities of the Senior Counsel for Intellectual Property (IP) Legal Services include, but are not limited to the following: Serving as the liaison with other USPTO business units regarding enrollment and IP legal services.

Representing the USPTO and the Office of Enrollment and Discipline before various committees and public and private sector groups, (e.g., the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the American Bar Association, etc.), to gain support and acceptance of OED programs and provide educational outreach as a proactive measure to protect the public by ensuring practitioners are aware of proper ethical standards.

Adjudicating registration applications and petitions having highly complex factual or legal issues.

Developing the nationwide examination which is given to candidates who wish to be registered to practice before the USPTO. Coordinating IP legal service efforts.

Assisting and advising in enrollment proceedings.