Manager, Principal Patent Paralegal

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. At Dolby, science meets art, and high tech means more than computer code. As a member of the Dolby team, you’ll see and hear the results of your work everywhere, from movie theaters to smartphones. We continue to revolutionize how people create, deliver, and enjoy entertainment worldwide. To do that, we need the absolute best talent. We’re big enough to give you all the resources you need, and small enough so you can make a real difference and earn recognition for your work. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits, not to mention a Flex Work approach that is truly flexible to support where, when, and how you do your best work.

The Legal Department provides core legal support to all Dolby functions, runs several IP-centric businesses, and leads government relations.

Dolby Laboratories is seeking a Manager, Principal Patent Paralegal based in San Francisco, CA. As a member of the IP Operations Leadership team, you will report directly to the Director of IP Strategy & Operations and play a crucial role in the Patents Group to help establish and protect our rights to our innovations. This is a formal people management role, so you will serve as direct manager to more junior patent paralegals and/or legal assistants. You will be responsible for coordinating U.S. and foreign filing and prosecution. You will serve as an expert resource and work cooperatively with a large team of in-house attorneys, patent agents, engineers, and patent paralegals, as well as outside U.S. and foreign attorneys and patent agents. You must be comfortable with multi-tasking and prioritization in a fast-paced environment with close attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness. You must excel at obtaining and effectively communicating information related to pending patent applications and matters of U.S. and foreign patent law.

Essential Job Functions

• Formally manage, train, mentor, and empower other patent paralegals and/or legal assistants
• Research, prepare and draft complex legal documents for international patent filings and prosecution
  • • Prepare aesthetic and accurate U.S. applications and PCT applications and documents using PCT-SAFE. File PCT and U.S. applications electronically through EFS-Web
    • Work with internal attorneys, agents and international law firms utilizing in-depth knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent rules and requirements to respond to office actions, complete formalities and provide all materials and support as needed. Monitor and ensure all deadlines are met, following up with internal stakeholders and external service providers as necessary
    • Manage and instruct PCT national phase, Convention and non-Convention applications, U.S. applications of all types, and forward and coordinate correspondence between internal case managers and outside counsel
• Review docketed patent information for accuracy within Anaqua docketing software
• Respond to questions regarding third-party and Dolby patents from internal and external customers
  • • Research and provide accurate responses regarding patent terms, relevant dates, priority applications, ownership, and other pertinent information by researching appropriate resources, including but not limited to internal databases, attorney reports, external specialized patent resources such as Kluwer, PAIR, EPO Plus, Espacenet, Patentscope, Dialog, Delphion, and world-wide patent offices.
• Establish good working relationships with Legal department personnel, inventors, agents, and attorneys
• Collaborate with team to update policies and procedures to accommodate changes in internal procedures and legal considerations
• Ensure compliance with patent handling procedures
• Handle intake of acquired cases from acquisition due diligence through prosecution in-house
• Manage transfer out/sold cases and collaborate with buyers to ensure all requirements are timely met
• Manage a full docket of patent cases including direct patent prosecution
• Work on patent procedures and checklists

Other Responsibilities

• Provide backup to other Patent Paralegals and docketing personnel; assume responsibility for essential functions related to patents on a backup basis or as needed.

• Perform duties as assigned by immediate supervisor
• Perform all work necessary to complete performance objectives
• Assist on all patent matters as required

 Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Education Required

• Bachelor degree, paralegal certification, or the equivalent in experience
• Minimum of 12 years of combined U.S. and foreign patent filing experience
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. and international patent filing procedures and rules
• Both in-house and private practice law firm experience preferred
• Strong leadership skills; people management experience and/or enthusiasm to manage
• Collaborative and team-oriented; not territorial; eager to share information and facilitate others’ success
• Demonstrates integrity and honesty in all matters
• Exhibits professionalism and composure in stressful situation and in meeting short deadlines

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $141,000 - $172,300 plus bonus, equity, and benefits, and can vary if outside of this location. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

Dolby will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Dolby is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.