Administrative Staff & Paralegals

To apply for a staff or paralegal position at Barack Ferrazzano, please submit your resume in Word format to (unless otherwise stated): careers@bfkn.com

Open Positions

Position: Paralegal - Intellectual Property 

FLSA: Non-exempt

Reports To: IP Department Head

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.

Hours: 40-hour workweek with overtime pay.

Summary: BFKN is looking for a senior Trademark paralegal for our growing IP practice area. Our IP group has extensive experience in all facets of IP practice, including counseling, clearance, licensing, prosecution, business transactions involving intellectual property, registration, enforcement and litigation. We represent clients in a broad range of industries, including fashion, cosmetics, motor vehicle, manufacturing, technology, health care, food and beverage, real estate, and financial services. The ideal candidate will possess 7-10 years of experience in the trademark area of intellectual property, including conducting trademark searches, coordinating U.S. and international trademark filings, preparing responses to Office Actions, drafting correspondence, preparing of worldwide assignments and post-transaction closing recordings, and assisting with U.S. and international oppositions and cancellations. Additional qualifications include good research skills, and strong analytical skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• A minimum of seven to ten years on the job experience as an IP paralegal ideally in a law firm.
• High level of experience with trademark clearance, due diligence, registration and maintenance.
• Ability to oversee all aspects of U.S. and foreign prosecution and litigation.
• Must be proficient with relevant IP databases including USPTO and WIPO websites and Corsearch for searching and trademark watching, as well as experience with vendors (e.g. Clarivate, Corsearch, etc.).
• Ability to complete electronic filings in the USPTO, including the TTAB, and WIPO.
• Familiarity with TTAB rules and procedures.
• Experience with trademark docketing software, preferably CPI, including docketing, running searches and preparing portfolio reports.
• Working knowledge of domain name registration and management.
• Significant experience with IP portfolio management including international trademark portfolios.
• Experience with analyzing chain of title and updating IP ownership in the U.S. and internationally.
• Experience analyzing trademark watch notices and managing watch services.
• Experience with social media a plus.
• Copyright and design patent experience a plus.
• Must be proactive and highly organized.
• Must be a team player.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to speak with clients.
• Overtime as needed.

Working Conditions & Physical Effort:

1. Work is normally performed in a typical office work environment.
2. Very limited exposure to physical risk.

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Position: Business Development & Marketing Coordinator (Chicago, IL)

FLSA: Non-exempt

Reports To: Business Development & Marketing Specialist

Salary: Commensurate with experience. (Comprehensive starting salary and benefits program)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. 35-hour work week. Position may require occasional overtime.

Summary: Reporting to the Business Development & Marketing Specialist, the Business Development & Marketing Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the implementation and execution of the Firm's business development and marketing goals and initiatives.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Events

• Maintain a comprehensive calendar of events, sponsorships, ads, surveys, directories, and award submission due dates
• Assist with continuing legal education (CLE) credit processing, tracking, and follow up
• Assist the team and attorneys with all elements of event planning for both in-person and virtual events

Website & Social Media

• Create, proofread, and edit marketing and business development materials, including practice area descriptions, invitations, attorney experience, and biographies
• Update practice descriptions, attorney bios, news, and publication items on the website
• Handle basic photo editing for the website
• Assist with promoting content on social media and getting attorneys to share content via social media channels
• Assist with basic training for attorneys looking to use social media tools more

Pitches/Proposals

• Create and edit responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), pitch materials, and other business development presentations
• Assist with pitches and proposals, including drafting, accurately managing the editing process, and producing proofed deliverables
• Create team sheets for pitch opportunities and in-person pitch meetings
• Assist with gathering and maintaining content for RFPs

Public Relations

• Assist with managing and maintaining customer relationship management (CRM) system called ContactEase
• Maintain and update mailing lists
• Assist with drafting, editing, and issuing external client alerts and press releases
• Assist with gathering relevant information for promoting client successes and firm news

Submissions

• Draft responses to various surveys, ranking organization submissions and directories, including working with the attorneys on gathering the necessary information
• Assist with gathering resources for legal directory submissions
• Maintain and update experience information used in surveys and submissions

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• At least 2 years of experience at a law firm, professional services, and/or agency handling similar duties and responsibilities preferred
• BA in Marketing, Legal Studies, Communications, Journalism, or a related field is preferred
• Strong writing and proofreading skills required
• Predictable and consistent attendance
• Ability to multi-task while being able to maintain a high level of attention to detail and deliver accurate work
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and as a team, and interact with all levels of staff, attorneys, firm management, and clients
• Must be a team player who is self-motivated and can work independently and efficiently
• Strong proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Proficient in social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
• Knowledge of databases, CRM systems, and e-mail marketing software a plus
• Adobe Creative Cloud skills, especially InDesign and Photoshop, are a plus

Working Conditions & Physical Effort:

1. Work is normally performed in a typical office work environment.
2. Very limited exposure to physical risk.

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP is an equal employment opportunity employer.