*The Opportunity *
Guided by both Practice Group and Client Accounting Department objectives and priorities, assist assigned attorney(s) with the management of client accounting as it relates specifically to the patent/trademark practices.
Ensure that accurate bills are generated and sent to clients in a timely manner.
Demonstrate client service excellence and develop strong collaborative relationships with client accounting personnel, attorneys and IP support staff.
Work closely with all to identify and resolve potential obstacles before they become billing and collection issues downstream.
*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS*
*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 product, 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 ebilled 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.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.
00 - $85,000.
00 per year
Experience:
* IP Billing: 3 years (Required)
* Law Firm: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: On the road
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