Billing Specialist

*Client Billing* * Work closely with the Client Accounting team and assigned partners to facilitate account management of clients; establish and maintain credibility with stakeholders, produce highly accurate work products, take full ownership for results.
* Collaborate closely with Patent/Trademark attorneys and staff to maintain compliance with client requirements; assist with managing and tracking the portfolio of assigned matters to ensure accurate and complete data mapping for e-billed clients.
* Participate in the onboarding of new clients with regard to their requirements for managing their patent portfolio and related billing.
Communicate these requirements to the Client Accounting team.
* Access the firm’s financial system to gather data and facilitate reporting.
* Assist billing partners with analyzing and resolving discrepancies, including any underlying issues and queries related to billing from foreign associates or vendors; enter edits and ensure that hourly fees, flat fees, task codes, vendor invoices and any other missing time, are correctly and promptly accounted for to minimize billing and collection issues downstream.
* Reinforce best practice for matter setups for the Patent/Trademark teams; generate reporting and assist as needed with responding to inquiries from the team; work with patent filing specialists/practitioners/secretaries to ensure that matters are opened correctly according to client requirements, under the proper patent families.
For billed clients, coordinate the prompt acquisition of client reference #s for prompt input into the firm’s financial system, prior to the billing stage.
* Identify the needs of the patent billing attorneys with regard to managing the billing aspect of patent/trademark matters, recognize patterns, and anticipate and avoid pitfalls.
Create uniformity and consistency with regard to billing protocols and advocate for best practices across the patent/trademark teams.
* Review Work in Process (“WIP”) for selected patent portfolios for accuracy by applying knowledge of IP docketing and filing procedures.
* Assist the Client Accounting team with collection efforts as needed.
* Train new proforma reviewers on best practices specific to the patent/trademark practices.
* Maintain IP-specific data in firm financial system, updating client records as needed.
*Teamwork and Applied Skills* * Strong organizational skills, ability to manage large amounts of electronic data.
* Ability to organize time, prioritize workload effectively, and work independently.
* Ability to multi-task and follow through as necessary.
* Ability to assess information, anticipate issues and outcomes, and make effective decisions in collaboration with attorneys.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to prepare accurate, highly detailed work, excellent proofreading skills.
* Analytical and information gathering skills; ability to evaluate and prioritize extensive, detailed data.
* Ability to exchange information and to present ideas, report facts and other information clearly and concisely.
* A highly proactive, solution-oriented approach to work and team interaction.
* Strong initiative to proactively increase value to the position.
* Highly proficient with Windows-based software used by the Firm, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Mac Pac.
* Availability to work overtime, flexibility regarding work schedule highly desired.
*Professional Development* * Remain current in industry trends in patent docketing; proactively expand knowledge of procedures, laws, and nuances related to docketing.
* Ensure expertise in technology relevant to the position; proactively use most current technology to further teamwork, client service, and efficiency.
*QUALIFICATIONS* *Education and Experience* * Bachelor’s Degree or higher preferred.
* Three to five years of patent/trademark experience preferred [For senior, three to five years of patent/trademark _billing_ experience required; for coordinator, three years of patent/trademark experience preferred.
] * Prior experience with Chrome River, Elite Financial System (Enterprise or 3E) and an IP docketing system preferred.
* Experience working in a large law firm preferred.
Job Type: Full-time Salary: $70,000.
00 - $104,000.
00 per year Experience: * Law Firm: 3 years (Required) * Patent: 3 years (Required) Work Location: On the road