Legal Assistant / Secretary (IP Law Firm)

About the role

We are seeking a detail‑oriented Legal Assistant to support the lead and senior patent attorneys of a boutique intellectual property law firm. Working from our Johannesburg office, you will act as the operational engine behind the patent practice, ensuring smooth case management and client communication while adhering to U.S. business hours.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients regarding case progress.
• Prepare and dispatch engagement letters, intake forms, invoices, and case notifications.
• Send congratulatory and thank‑you communications for issued patents and completed matters.
• Order certificates for clients when applicable.
• Maintain the attorney’s calendar and the firm’s master deadline calendar, tracking all USPTO patent deadlines.
• Proactively follow up with clients on upcoming due dates and schedule calls and internal meetings.
• Act as a gatekeeper for the attorney’s time, managing priorities and meeting requests.

Required profile

• Excellent written and verbal English with a professional tone.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a U.S. patent paralegal or in patent law.
• Strong understanding of USPTO procedures and patent prosecution workflows.
• Detail‑oriented, able to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Proactive self‑starter who takes ownership without prompting.

Required skills

• Practice Panther
• Notion
• Trello