Staff

Rutan & Tucker, LLP is seeking an Intellectual Property Docket Supervisor. This is a full-time exempt position. The ideal candidate has strong knowledge and thorough understanding of domestic and international patent, trademark and copyright prosecution and docketing practices. Will be responsible for supervising a team of IP Docket Specialists. In addition to overseeing the IP Docketing team, the candidate will also be responsible for various tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Review and docket incoming copyright and trademark prosecution correspondence from the USPTO, foreign associates and foreign trademark offices
• Forward incoming correspondences to practitioners after they have been docketed
• Maintain firm’s docket in an up-to-date fashion
• Oversee the overall maintenance and supervision of the docketing system and docketing team
• Audit docket matters
• Develop and implement standardized docketing processes and procedures, including quality control processes
• Serve as liaison between docketing department and practitioners
• Serve as firm point of contact and liaison between docketing team and vendors (e.g. AltLegal, Anaqua, Foundation IP)
• Generate daily, weekly, monthly and special docket reports
• Process incoming and outgoing file transfers
• Review daily dockets to confirm deadlines are timely met
• Assist other docket specialists in double-checking to ensure all dates docketed by that specialist are accurate

Qualifications and requirements:

• Expertise with USPTO, eTEAS, TARR and SAEGIS, PAIR, TESS, TSDR and TTAB systems.
• Minimum of 4-6/7 years of comprehensive patent and trademark prosecution docketing experience
• Prior experience using i-Manage FileSite and MS Excel required
• At least two years of supervisory experience
• Must be highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to interact with and manage personnel at all levels of the firm
• Able to work in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail, high degree of accuracy, ability to work independently and to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to manage time effectively under pressure

Work Environment:

This is a hybrid position.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.

IP Docket Supervisor Salary Range:

• Annual Salary Range: $110,000 – $135,000 depending on experience

If you have the necessary qualifications, please contact Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.

Litigation and Trial secretary sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of California’s largest full-service law firms. Desired applicants should have a minimum of 4 years of recent Federal and California litigation experience, in a law firm setting. This position will provide administrative support for five attorneys. This is a full time, non- exempt position and does require a schedule of five days in the office.

Qualified applicants will be computer intuitive demonstrating excellent technical skills utilizing advanced Microsoft Office features including Excel and document management software applications, iManage preferred. The ideal candidate will be motivated and detail oriented with a strong work ethic, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a high pressure environment.

Successful applicants must have strong experience with document preparation and e-filing in state, federal and appellate courts; will exercise excellent judgment and decision making skills, strong administrative skills (i.e. calendar management, travel arrangements, client billing) and the ability to independently manage multiple projects and daily workflow in a fast paced environment. 

Work Environment:

This is an office-based position and attendance of five days in the office.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.

Litigation and Trial Secretary Salary Range:

• Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000 depending on experience

If you have the necessary qualifications, please contact Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.

Trial Paralegal Job Description

Trial Paralegal sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP. One of California’s largest full-service law firms. Desired applicants will have a minimum of 5 years of complex litigation experience. This is a full-time, non-exempt position and does require a schedule of five days in the office. This position supports attorneys in all phases of state and federal litigation, from case inception through trial and any appeal.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical proficiency, in-depth knowledge of California Civil Procedure, California Appellate Procedure, and Federal Civil Procedure, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage high-stakes matters with precision and accountability.

This role requires a detail-oriented, highly responsible professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can independently manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy, procedural compliance, and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management & Pre-Trial Support

• Manage litigation matters from inception through trial and post-trial proceedings.
• Draft, prepare, cite-check and otherwise assist with pleadings, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and correspondence.
• Track and calculate deadlines under the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules.
• Maintain and monitor case calendars and ensure strict compliance with court-imposed deadlines and scheduling orders.
• Coordinate and manage written discovery, document productions, and deposition preparation.
• Prepare deposition notices and subpoenas (California and out-of-state) in compliance with procedural rules.

Trial Preparation & Support

• Prepare trial binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, jury instructions and other pre-trial documents.
• Coordinate filing and service of trial documents in state and federal courts.
• Manage trial logistics, including courtroom technology, exhibit tracking, and trial presentation systems.
• Provide in-court trial support, including exhibit management, document retrieval, and witness coordination.
• Assist with post-trial motions and related filings.

Appellate Support

• Assist in preparing and filing notices of appeal and cross-appeal.
• Manage appellate deadlines and briefing schedules in California Courts of Appeal and federal appellate courts.
• Coordinate preparation and assembly of appellate appendixes.
• Coordinate electronic filing of appellate briefs and motions in compliance with court-specific rules.

Technical & E-Discovery Support

• Utilize litigation support and e-discovery platforms (e.g., Relativity, CS Disco or similar).
• Conduct and manage document review and large-scale productions.
• Use trial presentation software (e.g., TrialDirector, OnCue, or similar).

Legal Research & Procedural Knowledge

• Demonstrate strong working knowledge of:
  • California Code of Civil Procedure
  • California Rules of Court (including appellate rules)
  • Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
  • Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
  • Local rules for California state and federal courts
• Perform procedural research and assist with compliance analysis.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of complex litigation experience, including trial support; appellate experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in California state and federal court practice, including appellate filings.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and document management systems,
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn new litigation technologies.

Core Competencies

• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to formatting, procedural requirements, citation accuracy, and deadlines.
• Highly Responsible: Takes ownership of assigned matters and proactively ensures procedural compliance.
• Deadline-Driven: Skilled at managing multiple, overlapping trial and appellate schedules.
• Technically Proficient: Comfortable working with litigation databases, e-filing systems, and presentation software.
• Analytical & Precise: Understands litigation and appellate strategy and anticipates procedural needs.

Professional & Discreet: Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment.

Work Environment:

This position is located in our Irvine, California office. This an in-office based position and requires five days in the office, Monday through Friday. Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of our commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Trial Paralegal Salary Range:

Annual Salary Range: $100,000 – $130,000 depending on experience.

Application Process:

Interested candidates with the necessary qualifications should submit a one page resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.

• Subject line for submission should read: Rutan & Tucker, Trial Paralegal Applicant