Global IP Paralegal

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company’s award-winning success.

• Enrich your managerial and organizational talents – from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
• Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

As a Patent Paralegal you will support the Intellectual Property Group in managing and protecting HARMAN’s global patent portfolio across a diverse range of technologies.

The Patent Paralegal will partner closely with in-house attorneys, inventors, business leaders, and outside counsel to support patent prosecution activities, portfolio management, docketing, reporting, and intellectual property operations. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate is proactive, client-focused, and comfortable working independently while collaborating across global teams. A high degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity is essential, along with experience supporting both U.S. and foreign patent matters.

Your Team

The HARMAN Intellectual Property Group manages a broad range of intellectual property matters, including patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, litigation, and IP due diligence on a global scale. Our team is committed to maintaining high-quality data and processes that enable exceptional service to our internal clients.

Reporting to the Senior Paralegal, IP Operations, you will join a collaborative team of paralegals supporting multiple attorneys, business partners, and inventors worldwide. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a portfolio of cutting-edge technologies while working alongside experienced legal and IP professionals.

What You Will Do

• Support in-house patent attorneys throughout all phases of U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, including coordination of filings managed by outside counsel.
• Maintain accurate and complete records for global patent matters, including invention disclosures, patent applications, prosecution activities, correspondence, due dates, cost information, and related legal matters within Anaqua, Legal Tracker, and other systems.
• Monitor and maintain patent dockets, ensuring the accuracy of bibliographic data, deadlines, and matter-related information across multiple databases and records.
• Prepare, coordinate, and process patent-related documents, including declarations, assignments, powers of attorney, petitions, and other prosecution-related filings.
• Serve as a key liaison among in-house attorneys, inventors, business leaders, and domestic and international outside counsel to facilitate patent filings, gather information, obtain required approvals, and support ongoing portfolio activities.
• Track and maintain records of communications, strategic portfolio information, and other confidential intellectual property matters provided by attorneys, business stakeholders, and external partners.
• Generate, analyze, and distribute patent portfolio reports, prosecution dockets, invention disclosure reports, foreign filing reports, and other information used by legal, business, and financial stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the global IP Operations team on departmental initiatives, process improvements, best practices, and data quality efforts.
• Provide guidance and training to internal clients, inventors, outside counsel, and team members on IP processes, database usage, and Legal Department procedures.
• Serve as a backup for other paralegals and provide general administrative and project support to the Intellectual Property Group as needed.

What You Need

• 5+ years of experience as a Patent Paralegal, Patent Legal Assistant, or Patent Legal Secretary within a law firm or corporate legal department.
• 3+ years of experience working with IP management systems and patent docketing databases; Anaqua experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing patent prosecution dockets, analyzing patent bibliographic data, calculating and maintaining due dates, and coordinating with attorneys, clients, and outside counsel.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. patent prosecution procedures, PCT processes, and foreign patent filing requirements and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to work effectively across multiple databases and systems.
• Experience generating and analyzing reports from IP management, billing, and business systems.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and adapting to changing business needs.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional business correspondence, proofreading, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global, cross-functional team environment.
• Business fluency in English and familiarity with intellectual property terminology.

What is Nice to Have

• Working knowledge of European and other foreign Patent rules and procedures highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Defensive Publications, and Copyrights preferred.
• Experience producing graphs and charts in Excel, and presentations in PowerPoint, highly preferred.
• Experience working with the Anaqua I.P. Management system highly preferred.
• Experience working with legal billing systems preferred, with high preference for experience with Thomson Reuters’ Legal Tracker (Serengeti) billing system.
• Some college preferred.
• A command of business and legal terminology preferred.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to work in an office in the Novi, Michigan.
• Be willing to work a 40-hour work week, and the flexibility to work overtime if necessary.
• Be willing to work as a part of a global and close-knit team.

What We Offer

• An inclusive and diverse multi-national work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Opportunity to collaborate with talented teams across the organization.
• Competitive salary with potential for growth.
• Excellent benefit package, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, flexible spending, 401K, and more.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN (JBL, HARMAN/Kardon, AKG, etc.) and Samsung products.

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Pay Transparency

$ 73,500 - $ 107,800

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: [email protected].

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.()

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected] . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.