Senior IP Legal Assistant (2–5 Years) in Washington, District of Columbia at Hylton-Rodic Law PLLC

Intellectual Property | Life Sciences | Patent Prosecution

Looking for a law firm where you can do exceptional work without sacrificing your quality of life?

Many experienced legal assistants eventually reach the same crossroads.

They still enjoy intellectual property law. They still enjoy supporting attorneys and helping clients succeed.

They're simply looking for a firm where they can do meaningful work in a collaborative environment—without the bureaucracy, constant fire drills, and around-the-clock expectations often found in larger firms.

Hylton-Rodic Law is a boutique intellectual property law firm serving biotechnology, pharmaceutical, university, and life sciences innovators.

We are seeking an experienced IP Legal Assistant to join our growing legal team and help manage sophisticated patent prosecution matters for clients developing tomorrow's medicines, therapies, and scientific breakthroughs.

This position works directly with attorneys and plays a critical role in ensuring patent matters move accurately, efficiently, and on time. Successful candidates will be comfortable taking ownership of their work, managing competing deadlines, and proactively keeping complex legal matters on track.

If you're looking for meaningful legal work, greater ownership, and a firm that values both professional excellence and personal well-being, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Manage patent prosecution matters from intake through ongoing prosecution.
• Maintain and update docketing systems to ensure deadlines are accurately tracked and met.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate U.S. and foreign patent prosecution filings.
• Coordinate correspondence with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO.
• Support attorneys with filings, reporting, and administrative aspects of patent prosecution.
• Open new matters, maintain electronic files, and ensure accurate matter management.
• Monitor deadlines, identify potential issues proactively, and help keep matters moving without unnecessary follow-up.
• Collaborate with attorneys and fellow legal assistants to continuously improve workflows and client service.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days

• Learn the firm's clients, systems, docketing procedures, and prosecution workflows.
• Become familiar with attorney preferences and active client portfolios.
• Begin independently handling routine patent prosecution tasks.

First 90 Days

• Independently manage assigned prosecution matters with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate consistent accuracy, organization, and responsiveness.
• Become a trusted operational partner for attorneys and the legal team.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; degrees in legal studies, biology, chemistry, engineering, or another scientific discipline are preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience as an Intellectual Property Legal Assistant or Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant.
• Current experience supporting U.S. patent prosecution within an intellectual property law firm is required.
• Experience preparing and coordinating USPTO filings, correspondence, docket management, and patent prosecution workflows.
• Experience communicating professionally with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO.
• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal practice management software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting international patent prosecution.
• Experience with AppColl or comparable IP docketing software.
• Experience working in a boutique intellectual property law firm.
• Familiarity with patent prosecution procedures, USPTO practice, IDS filings, Information Disclosure Statements, formal documents, assignments, and related prosecution workflows.

Why Hylton-Rodic Law?

Work-Life Balance

We believe exceptional legal work should not require sacrificing your personal well-being. Our team enjoys a collaborative, respectful environment where quality of work and quality of life are equally valued.

Ownership & Professional Growth

This is not a role where you'll simply process tasks. You'll become a trusted operational partner to our attorneys, take ownership of your work, and help support sophisticated intellectual property matters for innovative clients.

Meaningful Work

Support scientists, universities, startups, and biotechnology companies developing technologies that improve healthcare and advance scientific discovery.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35.00–$42.00 per hour (non-exempt; overtime eligible), based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits include:

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 401(k) with Matching
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Mental Health Days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday Break (Christmas Eve through New Year's Day)
• Celebratory Birthday Leave
• Sunshine Fridays

Ready for Your Next Chapter?

If you're an experienced IP Legal Assistant looking for meaningful work, greater ownership, and a collaborative firm where professional excellence and work-life balance go hand in hand, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to join a team that's helping protect the innovations shaping the future of healthcare, medicine, and science.