Job Information
Dow Paralegal Specialist in Midland, Michigan
Paralegal Specialist
At a glance
Position:Paralegal Specialist
Primary Location:Midland (MI, USA), Michigan, United States of America
Additional Locations: Freeport (TX, USA) + More - Less
Schedule:Full time
Date Posted:07/01/2024
Job Number:R2052894
Position Type:Regular
At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.
Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.
Dowhas an exciting opportunity for aParalegal Specialist! This position can be located inMidland, MIorFreeport, TX.
About you and this role
You will provide support to the Intellectual Property (IP) group and Trademark group. The primary responsibilities of this role are related to renewals and abandonments. You will serve as a member of the docketing team. This job entails working on new or complex assignments and demands proficiency in technical processes and procedures. You may be required to explain processes or other information to individuals outside their immediate team. This role requires an understanding of how the team integrates with others, in the Legal function, to accomplish objectives. You must possess an appropriate understanding of the job and apply skills and knowledge in a limited range of processes, procedures, and systems. You must also comprehend how individual contributions impact the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the team and will help identify opportunities to modify work practices and processes to achieve results or improve efficiency and presents case for change to decision makers. You will work independently or as part of a team under moderate supervision.
Responsibilities
Proactively identify and suggest changes which enhance the team's effectiveness and productivity.
Apply creativity to solve problems or to develop/suggest new or improved processes.
Update patent and trademark laws in the IP Management System, review law changes to ensure they are working properly in the system and identify any changes to work processes.
Export renewal and abandonment batch files, processes renewal and abandonment CEF files from renewal vendor, and works with the vendor on any issues.
Coordinate with vendors, outside counsel, and experts as needed.
Manage centralized processes related to IP maintenance and abandonment.
Perform quality control activities to ensure integrity of data.
Investigate and perform research using external sources, as necessary.
Create and maintain work processes and procedures.
Share knowledge with peers, team members, and other work groups as appropriate.
Assist others in IP Business Services whenever back-up is needed.
Work with the IP Business Services Docketing team to assist with reviewing and analyzing all incoming client mail (including U.S. Mail, e-mail, courier packages), USPTO Electric Filing Submissions and outgoing correspondence for the IP Case Team that relates to patent and trademark matters.
Be able to understand both U.S. and International patent and trademark laws.
Proactively communicates to IP Case team whenever a potential issue is spotted or if a quick response is required to maintain application’s and/or patent’s status at the PTO.
Qualifications
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree OR an associate's degree and commitment to earn a bachelor’s degree within three years OR relevant military experience at or above a U.S. E6 or Canadian Petty Officer 2nd Class or Sergeant ranking.
A minimum of 3 years of relevant working experience OR 1 year of intellectual property legal experience.
A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
Preferred Skills
Paralegal experience in a corporate legal department.
Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization, customers, and third parties.
Ability to work well in a dynamic, complex, client- and team-focused environment with minimal oversight and an agile and continuous improvement mindset.
Work Ethic.Demonstrate dedication and commitment to individual, team, department, and Company objectives. Lead and influence with maturity and professionalism, consistent and high-quality work, including organization and attention to detail, high productivity, teamwork and cooperation, determination to succeed, a bias toward action, enthusiasm, and dedication to continuous learning. Possess owner mindset for team objectives to drive growth, development, standards, and work processes (i.e., establishing, following, sustaining, improving, etc.). Demonstrate effective teamwork and priority for team success.
Interpersonal Effectiveness, Teamwork, Communication, Collaboration, and Collegiality.Exhibit client- and customer-focused mindset always, versatile style, and excellent interpersonal skills (verbal and non-verbal communication, listening, negotiation, problem solving, critical thinking, decision-making, and assertiveness) to interact effectively with a variety of people inside and outside of Company (i.e., up, down, and across the Company, cross-business, cross-function, cross-region, customers, external parties, etc.). Work as engaged member of cross-department and cross-functional teams. Exemplify teamwork and collegiality. Respect and foster diversity of thought and style. Contribute to culture of transparency, communication, and teamwork. Share, grow, and learn in a team environment consistent with the goals and principles that guide the Legal department and Company.
Initiative and Judgment.Lead and influence with a service mindset and through an earned reputation of trust, respect, competence, and professionalism. Put the team first. Take an enthusiastic and energetic approach to responsibilities. Recognize and appropriately seize opportunities to act. Apply sound and professional critical thinking and decision-making skills to issues relevant to specific role. Recognize, analyze, and resolve a variety of legal issues within established parameters. Know what you don’t know and seek help/guidance when needed. Perform under pressure. Recognize and take appropriate risks. Meet aggressive deadlines.
Interconnected Thinking and Action.Consider how responsibilities relevant to specific role connect not only with each other but also with others in the department. Realize the value of communication and inform stakeholders in a relevant, timely, and customer-focused manner. Understand that responsibilities relevant to specific role enable non-legal colleagues in their efforts to best serve end customers and impact the overall customer experience.
Agility and Continuous Learning.Demonstrate continuous ability to adapt to changing business/company climate. Consider how job description and responsibilities may change over time, including the skills and knowledge needed to continue to compete effectively and contribute with impact. Recognize and react with vigor, to opportunities to work more efficiently and effectively, while incorporating critical, historical learnings, institutional knowledge, and strategic underpinnings. Demonstrate preference and visible advocacy for tools and technology that can aid in working smarter, including the use of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
Additional Notes
Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
Benefits – What Dow offers you
We invest in you.
Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.
Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:
Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental and emotional well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.
Become a Dow shareholder through various employee stock programs.
Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
Global Paid Time Off (PTO) policies:
Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
Join our team, we can make a difference together.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visitingwww.dow.com.
As part of our dedication to the diversity of our workforce, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available onwww.dow.com.
Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.