Intellectual Property Paralegal Country/Region: US Location: Farmington Hills, MI, US, 48331 Req ID 72316 | Gbl Elec HQ - Farmington Hills, United States ZF Active Safety US Inc. **About the Team:** ZF seeks an experienced patent prosecution legal assistant in our Farmington Hills office. The patent legal assistant will assist attorneys with the preparation, prosecution and maintenance of domestic and international patents, and provide general intellectual property legal assistant support. Specific patent prosecution responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: preparing patent forms and documents, electronically filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, preparing Information Disclosure Statements; corresponding with internal clients and outside counsel; maintaining electronic files; substantively reviewing and updating patent dockets; responsibility for monitoring filing deadlines; providing support for trademark application filings, prosecution, and renewals, and other related tasks and duties as requested. General intellectual property legal assistant responsibilities include preparation of substantive communications under attorney direction, performing internet research and reporting results, and general secretarial duties. **What you can look forward to as an IP Paralegal:** + Provide administrative assistance to patent attorneys on local team and support global patent administration tasks. + Organize and maintain project files in patent database. + Notarization of various documents including powers of attorney and assignments. + Gather specimens of use and other evidentiary materials for trademarks. + Maintain patent portfolio and docket, including correspondence with international patent agents and outside counsel, applications, and office action responses, etc. + Manage/support employee patent incentive program. + Prepare documentation and electronically file U.S. and PCT Patent Applications, Declarations, Assignments, Application Data Sheets, Information Disclosure Statements, and Issue fee payments. + Compile information for patent portfolio reviews and maintenance fee/annuity payment decisions. + Act as a liaison between inventors, in-house counsel, outside counsel, and foreign agents. + Support attorneys with preparing, managing, and tracking IP agreements; assist in drafting IP agreements, amendments, and statements of work. + Coordinate travel plans / schedule appointments & meetings. **Your Profile as an IP Paralegal:** + Associate's degree or equivalent years of relevant experience + 3+ years of experience providing patent legal support + Experience preparing and filing documents for US and PCT patent filing and prosecution + Experience with working with Foreign Patent associates + Experience with international patent procedures + Hands-on experience with patent docketing and workflow systems in patent databases + Strong skills in using Microsoft Office Suite **Why you should choose ZF in Farmington Hills:** + A supportive collaborative team environment + Annual Incentive Plan + Paid Vacation + 401k Plan + Health Care Benefits + Paid Holidays + A strong diversity culture + Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities Be part of our ZF team as Intellectual Property Paralegal and apply now! DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran **What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?** At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility. Find out how we work at ZF: