Intellectual Property Paralegal II

Collaboration drives Nordson’s success as a market leader in Industrial Precision Solutions and Advanced Technology. Our employees thrive in an environment where we help each other reach our personal best and enable our company to continuously improve and grow, and our customers to succeed. You will find Nordson employees sharing our success by giving back in the communities around the world where we live and work.

Job Summary:

Nordson is seeking an Intellectual Property Paralegal to support its worldwide intellectual property portfolio and manage the administration of critical IP-related processes on behalf of Nordson’s Intellectual Property department. We are looking for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and able to execute a variety of IP-related tasks, including managing and coordinating domestic and foreign patent matters with in-house and outside counsel, managing Nordson’s confidentiality agreement review process, managing Nordson’s employee innovation incentive program, providing support to in-house counsel for M&A activities, and providing general support for IP-related initiatives.

You will be part of a team that fosters a positive and collaborative work environment which offers continuous opportunities to learn, develop, and realize your professional goals and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit in its employees.

This position is located at Nordson Corporation’s Global Headquarters in Westlake, Ohio.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain Nordson’s IP database and document management system, including opening new matters, addressing incoming and outgoing communications with respect to the IP portfolio, updating records, and preparing internal reports and materials.
• Support in-house counsel with communications to Nordson business stakeholders in connection with IP-related matters and with communications to outside counsel relating to instructions, updates, inquiries, and requests.
• Process new invention disclosures.
• Support innovation processes, including internal IP review meetings with Nordson business stakeholders and external communications with outside counsel.
• Support internal annuity meetings with Nordson businesses, including the management of fee payments with external payment service provider.
• Manage confidentiality agreement review process, including review and revision of non-disclosure agreements in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Support IP-related licensing activities.
• Use online searchable databases to conduct IP-related searches and research.
• Support diligence and integration activities associated with M&A.
• Manage Nordson’s innovation award program, including coordination and issuance of awards.
• Assist with preparation of and support the management of IP budget.
• Provide support for invoice review and submissions through e-billing software.
• Assist with preparation of IP-related reports and other periodic updates for presentation to management, including summaries of IP-related activities and analysis of spend/budget.
• Support internal IP-related training for Nordson businesses.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• 3 to 8 years’ experience as an Intellectual Property Paralegal, or equivalent. A strong background in patent preparation, prosecution, and post-grant support is required, while additional experience with trademarks is a plus. A combination of law firm and in-house experience is also a plus.
• Familiarity with patent terminology, as well as US, PCT, and other non-US patent procedures relating to filing, prosecution, and maintenance requirements. Familiarity with trademark terminology and procedures is a plus.
• Proficient in working with and managing databases, preferably IP Databases.
• Bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Familiarity with Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker e-billing software is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to accomplish tasks within agreed upon timeframes through effective prioritization.
• Writing and communication skills for concise and easy-to-understand instructions and responses to both internal clients and outside counsel.
• Flexibility for handing a diverse workload.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and confidently take appropriate actions in the management or administration of assigned projects and processes.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and collaboratively as a team player.
• Process driven and can identify, design, and help implement processes and process improvements to enhance workflow.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic and accountability.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and outside counsel and staff in a positive and professional manner.
• Willingness to learn new skills and execute additional tasks.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Nordson Corporation provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees. No person is to be discriminated against in any aspect of the employment relationship due to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of our pre-employment drug screening and background/criminal check, consistent with applicable laws.Third party recruiters and agencies should not contact employees of Nordson or its subsidiaries directly. Any resumes sent to a hiring manager or submitted to Nordson employees are considered unsolicited and property of Nordson. Nordson will not pay a placement fee unless the agency or recruiter has a signed contract with Nordson’s Human Resources department in advance of submitting a candidate for consideration. Verbal and written approvals will not be considered a valid contract for service.