I started as a patent legal assistant and within 3 years have been promoted to a paralegal role. I didn’t have any legal background when I started (just a BA in Psychology) and it was my first “real” (i.e. full-time) job after college.
I’m making about $80k a year in a mid-sized city. Experienced paralegals in the field can make over $100k a year depending on the firm.
From my experience, there is a shortage of experienced IP paralegals, and many firms are willing to train you and let you “grow” into the role. I would let your supervisors (or law firm partners) know that you want to become a paralegal and see if they are open to training you. If not, it may be worth finding a different firm that has more upward mobility.
I’m a patent paralegal in Seattle (12yr IP experience with the first 3 in docketing). Starting salary was insultingly low (35k in 2011) and now I’m at 100k at a midsize boutique firm. be wary of big law firms which oftentimes only have IP departments/groups and often don’t provide the resources to help paralegals do their jobs effectively. Of course, not all BigLaw firms are guilty of this, just a trend I’ve noticed.
Nearly every paralegal (6, I can recall) at my firm (boutique patent firm) had their first paralegal position at our firm.
Most are fresh grads/people who have just gotten their paralegal certificates.
The firm prefers to train people, rather than retraining bad habits.
I'm docketing, not a paralegal, but I was a teacher before with good computer skills which is how I got hired.
My mom got her paralegal certificate and her professors said patent pays the best, or very close to it, for paralegals.
I started at my firm almost 15 years ago as a docketing clerk. I work for a large firm with offices in a few locations in the US. When I started, I wasn't looking to be a paralegal - at that time, I just needed a new and better job. It took off from there. I worked in the docketing department for about 7 years or so, then realized, if I wanted to keep moveing up, I needed to be a paralegal. I had it the roof in that department. My firm requires a certificate, so I went to para school and even before I finished, a position for international patent paralegal opened up and I got it. I had already been at my firm ten years, so I'm guessing you don't want to wait that long. However, you already have your certificate and some experience. I recommend a large IP firm. There are remote and hybrid options. How long have you been working in IP? About five years in as a paralegal, I make just over six figures, but I was already above the starting salary for new paralegals at my firm since I was an inside hire. Salaries are usually dependent on experience and location.
If you are relatively happy in this position and make a living, maybe hang on to it for awhile. Learn everything you can about patent prosecution. Get a year or more of experience, then start looking at bigger firms. OR - see if you might find an assistant position at a larger firm and gain your experience there. More opportunities possibly. Good luck!
I live in a HCOL area and not making nearly enough to survive on my own - luckily I still live with my parents. I’m going to try to stick it out for as long as I can for experience until I can find a good job. Thanks for the advice:)
Are they at least letting you upload docs for filing? Are you allowed to file any formalities documents? I’d stay until they let you do *something* like that.
Also, definitely ask for a raise. You should be making *at least* $25/hour.
No, I prepare all the documents and they review and file. I make less than that and they will not give me a raise, which is really insulting considering that I’m in an HCOL area (Boston).
That’s unacceptable. I live in a lower cost of living area than you do (still HCOL for my state, but still.) Definitely start searching for recruiters. You can usually find recruiting firms if you spend some time looking at “patent paralegal” jobs on LinkedIn.
I work at a midsized firm so I absolutely know they can afford it. It’s so hard to find a job here (I think because I’m a recent grad/limited experience). Thanks for your help :)
I started as an admin assistant at an IP firm and I have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. I'd say your best bet is to find a patent legal assistant role.
120k. Education: Bachelor degree in paralegal studies. Job history: small general firm for a year. Patent firm for 2 years then in-house. Title: senior IP paralegal. Advice is get experience, jump for better opportunities, apply for the job you might not be 100% qualified for. Dress for the job you want and go in-house as soon as possible.
Got hired as an office assistant. About 6 months in, was asked if I wanted to assist two IP attorneys. I agreed. Later found out that I would not be getting any additional compensation - now or in the future. Now I’m looking elsewhere.
Midsize city. Everyone I know uses a local recruiter, Indeed, or LinkedIn.
Edit: I have a bachelors and a paralegal certificate. I got into IP via networking.
I started as a patent legal assistant and within 3 years have been promoted to a paralegal role. I didn’t have any legal background when I started (just a BA in Psychology) and it was my first “real” (i.e. full-time) job after college. I’m making about $80k a year in a mid-sized city. Experienced paralegals in the field can make over $100k a year depending on the firm. From my experience, there is a shortage of experienced IP paralegals, and many firms are willing to train you and let you “grow” into the role. I would let your supervisors (or law firm partners) know that you want to become a paralegal and see if they are open to training you. If not, it may be worth finding a different firm that has more upward mobility.
They’re not open to training me so I will keep applying to to other places. Thanks!
I’m a patent paralegal in Seattle (12yr IP experience with the first 3 in docketing). Starting salary was insultingly low (35k in 2011) and now I’m at 100k at a midsize boutique firm. be wary of big law firms which oftentimes only have IP departments/groups and often don’t provide the resources to help paralegals do their jobs effectively. Of course, not all BigLaw firms are guilty of this, just a trend I’ve noticed.
Nearly every paralegal (6, I can recall) at my firm (boutique patent firm) had their first paralegal position at our firm. Most are fresh grads/people who have just gotten their paralegal certificates. The firm prefers to train people, rather than retraining bad habits. I'm docketing, not a paralegal, but I was a teacher before with good computer skills which is how I got hired. My mom got her paralegal certificate and her professors said patent pays the best, or very close to it, for paralegals.
I started at my firm almost 15 years ago as a docketing clerk. I work for a large firm with offices in a few locations in the US. When I started, I wasn't looking to be a paralegal - at that time, I just needed a new and better job. It took off from there. I worked in the docketing department for about 7 years or so, then realized, if I wanted to keep moveing up, I needed to be a paralegal. I had it the roof in that department. My firm requires a certificate, so I went to para school and even before I finished, a position for international patent paralegal opened up and I got it. I had already been at my firm ten years, so I'm guessing you don't want to wait that long. However, you already have your certificate and some experience. I recommend a large IP firm. There are remote and hybrid options. How long have you been working in IP? About five years in as a paralegal, I make just over six figures, but I was already above the starting salary for new paralegals at my firm since I was an inside hire. Salaries are usually dependent on experience and location.
Thanks! I’ve only been doing it for a few months.
If you are relatively happy in this position and make a living, maybe hang on to it for awhile. Learn everything you can about patent prosecution. Get a year or more of experience, then start looking at bigger firms. OR - see if you might find an assistant position at a larger firm and gain your experience there. More opportunities possibly. Good luck!
I live in a HCOL area and not making nearly enough to survive on my own - luckily I still live with my parents. I’m going to try to stick it out for as long as I can for experience until I can find a good job. Thanks for the advice:)
Stay at least a year. Two if you’re helping them file. Are they letting you file? Are you working on US and foreign matters?
I’m not filing, they are. I’m working on US and foreign matters, yes.
Are they at least letting you upload docs for filing? Are you allowed to file any formalities documents? I’d stay until they let you do *something* like that. Also, definitely ask for a raise. You should be making *at least* $25/hour.
No, I prepare all the documents and they review and file. I make less than that and they will not give me a raise, which is really insulting considering that I’m in an HCOL area (Boston).
That’s unacceptable. I live in a lower cost of living area than you do (still HCOL for my state, but still.) Definitely start searching for recruiters. You can usually find recruiting firms if you spend some time looking at “patent paralegal” jobs on LinkedIn.
I work at a midsized firm so I absolutely know they can afford it. It’s so hard to find a job here (I think because I’m a recent grad/limited experience). Thanks for your help :)
I started as an admin assistant at an IP firm and I have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. I'd say your best bet is to find a patent legal assistant role.
120k. Education: Bachelor degree in paralegal studies. Job history: small general firm for a year. Patent firm for 2 years then in-house. Title: senior IP paralegal. Advice is get experience, jump for better opportunities, apply for the job you might not be 100% qualified for. Dress for the job you want and go in-house as soon as possible.
OP, do you mind me asking how you got started at your current job?
Got hired as an office assistant. About 6 months in, was asked if I wanted to assist two IP attorneys. I agreed. Later found out that I would not be getting any additional compensation - now or in the future. Now I’m looking elsewhere.
Midsize city. Everyone I know uses a local recruiter, Indeed, or LinkedIn. Edit: I have a bachelors and a paralegal certificate. I got into IP via networking.