Manager, Intellectual Property (IP) Paralegals

Foley & Lardner LLP is a great place to work because of what we do and how we do it. Here, your unique perspectives, experiences, and abilities will be embraced and developed, so you can excel. Being a part of Foley means having the opportunities and resources necessary to gain experience, advance professional goals, and forge meaningful connections. It’s a place where you can build your career and enjoy professionally satisfying work. We have over 2,300 people who are #HappyatFoley, and we think you will be too.

The Manager of Intellectual Property (IP) Paralegals is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Intellectual Property paraprofessional team across the firm, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality support to the IP practices. This role drives operational efficiency and best practices while overseeing team performance and professional development. Success in this role requires a collaborative and adaptable leader with high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently with strong personal initiative. The Manager must demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. This position reports to the Director of Paralegals and works closely with Practice Group Leadership.

• Lead and manage Patent and Trademark paraprofessionals to ensure delivery of excellent services to stakeholders and clients.
• Collaborate with Department and Practice Group leadership to maximize paralegal utilization, profitability and billable hour requirements.
• Manage staffing needs and collaborate with department leadership and attorneys to ensure that paralegal resources are utilized most efficiently to support client workflow.
• Participate in the recruitment of IP paralegals and assist in the onboarding of new hires, to include best practices, IP software and workflows.
• Manage and develop a large team of paralegals by providing consistent feedback as part of the performance management process.
• Recommend process improvements that contribute to operational efficiency.
• Design, develop and implement paralegal training programs and educate attorneys on effective utilization of paralegals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, efficiency, and client-centered service excellence within the team.
• Monitor adherence of firm policies, legal standards, time entry compliance, overtime, and ethical guidelines while promoting consistency and fairness.
• Assess opportunities to integrate automation and AI tools to optimize paralegal workflows.

• Bachelor’s Degree required. #LI-Hybrid 
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive Intellectual Property Paralegal experience in a law firm required, AmLaw 100 preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated leadership and management experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. and international patent rules and procedures required, trademark and copyright experience preferred.

In support of transparency and equity in the workplace, Foley provides salary ranges for all positions. The figures below represent the full compensation range of this position. The actual offered amount will be between the range minimum and midpoint based on the following factors: education, experience, geographic market, and internal pay equity at Foley.
-Milwaukee - $116,900 to $175,400
-Chicago, Dallas and San Diego - $128,600 to $192,900
-Los Angeles - $134,400 to $201,700
-Boston and Washington D.C. - $140,300 to $210,500

Foley & Lardner LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with California’s Fair Chance Act