Position: Independent Contractor | Location: Virtual (willing to travel to Ottawa)
Rate is project based and dependent on experience and complexity
About Stratford
At Stratford, we believe better is possible, and it's our mission to help clients get there with better strategies, better processes, better technology, better intellectual property protection and better leadership. Our teams have years of practical business experience and deliver customized solutions that help clients realize value, achieve results and build enduring capabilities. Capabilities that leave our clients in better positions to thrive and contribute to the prosperity and vibrancy of their organizations, their teams and their communities.
At Stratford Group we support and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We believe an engaging and rewarding place to work is a direct outcome of having talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. Our aim is to help everyone reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Stratford Intellectual Property, a Division of Stratford Group, is seeking a patent agent to join our rapidly expanding IP team as an independent contractor. This role will report to the Patent Practice Lead at Stratford Intellectual Property business unit and will be based primarily from home with occasional requirements to be in office.
About You
You are a CPATA-registered Patent Agent with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience supporting Intellectual Property business solutions for a variety of clients and industries. You have extensive experience guiding clients through the drafting and prosecution of Canadian, US, and foreign patent applications.
You have expertise to develop patent portfolios for companies in information and communication technologies (ICT). You have a strong background, preferably, at the graduate level, in electrical engineering, physics, or computer science.
You are comfortable designing and implementing an IP strategy, working with various stakeholders at client organizations. You can lead invention mining sessions with R&D teams and extract potentially valuable IP in existing and future products.
What You Will Do and The Value You Will Add
Key Responsibilities
- Independently draft patent applications for Canadian, US and/or foreign filings.
- Prosecute patent applications in the USPTO and CIPO through examination and grant.
- Direct foreign patent filings and prosecution.
- Manage patent portfolios ensuring that they are due diligence ready
- Communicate with clients, associates and other relevant parties.
Required Experience
- Completion of a degree in computer science, electrical or computer engineering or physics preferably Master’s degree or PhD.
- Registered Patent Agent or Attorney before CPATA or USPTO; USPTO and CPATA preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of patent drafting and prosecution experience.
- Demonstrated ability to manage files and client relationships.
- Expertise in ICT technology including software, artificial intelligence (AI), computer implemented inventions and telecommunications.
- Trademark experience, the ability to bring clients or BD/Sales experience, and the ability for occasional travel to Ottawa, ON are assets.
Skills And Attributes for Success
- Action-oriented, self-starter
- Highly collaborative
- Strong analytical skills
- Follow through and ability to produce high quality, polished output
- Exhibits business acumen
- Ability to build trusting relationships
- Customer focused
- Ability to manage multiple objectives
- Responsible and deadline oriented
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Very comfortable being part of a team; willing to play a variety of roles is needed and especially have fun!
The Pay-off
As a Stratford Intellectual Property Administrative Specialist, you’ll become part of a forward-thinking team that values specialized knowledge and nurtures professional development. We empower our people with the freedom to manage meaningful projects, encouraging initiative and ownership. Our workplace thrives on variety, each day presents new challenges and opportunities for you to expand your expertise. Collaboration with skilled colleagues and clients enhances the work experience, while ongoing learning keeps you at the forefront of evolving legal and technological landscapes. Leadership opportunities abound, providing fulfillment as you help shape our processes and guide others. If you’re looking for a career where you can have a real impact and continue to progress, Stratford is the ideal environment.
Compensation
Rate is project based and dependent on experience and complexity
Please note that AI is used as part of our screening process.
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