WORKING AT AN IP LAW FIRM IN WASHINGTON DC: day in my life, busy times, apple watch stats

[@davidparnell3241]

87 degrees in Phoenix this morning! Highs today 113! They'll close hiking trails between 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

[@rachel_lin]

Wow! That is good they close the trails to keep people safe! 🤩

[@adrienne6246]

OMG I love your videos! I start my new job at a IP Law firm as a docketing specialist on the 27th. Any advice?

[@rachel_lin]

Hi Adrienne, congrats on the job!! I'm not too familiar with all of the duties of a docketing specialist, but I would say being organized is key in a law firm no matter the role! I took a ton of notes during orientation and training. I also keep a document on my work computer that lists all of the matters I am working on, so if an illustrator, attorney, or client asks a question, I can easily find the case I worked on. Keeping track of everything you have to do and are assigned is really helpful because you probably will have a lot of moving projects all happening at once. Good luck!

[@caylaharasimo6941]

is there a brand of laptop you would recommend?

[@rachel_lin]

Usually your firm would provide a work computer! So no real laptop recommendations, whichever kind of laptop that you are comfortable with should work for paralegal duties! My current work laptop is a Thinkpad and my personal laptop is a Dell!

[@cristinagonzalez6908]

Hey Rachel- I was hoping you can answer some qs. Did you have previous experience in IP law? If not, what advice to someone who only has litigation experience but eventually wants to transition to IP law. Thank you for your time. :)

[@rachel_lin]

Hi Cristina! I do not - this job is my first experience working in a law firm and working in IP! I became interested in IP from a class I took in college about Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. Having litigation experience probably transfers really well to IP - following deadlines, working with clients/attorneys, preparing/drafting formal documents etc. Right now, I am on a patent filing team, so my direct co-workers all help prepare and file patents for clients. There's also a patent prosecution team, where those paralegals help with taking legal action against others infringing on our client's patents, which might be close to litigation duties. Since you have law firm experience, I think you can start applying to IP Paralegal or IP Legal Assistant positions - you would have a lot of transferrable skills and if you have an interest/passion for IP, you can mention that in interviews! I have a new coworker who didn't previously work in IP, but a different kind of law and is a Paralegal at our firm now! Having a technical background might help, since lawyers need to pass the patent bar, but it's not really necessary for paralegals/assistants. Hope this helps!

[@joyced6309]

Hi Rachel! Great video! I’m currently looking for jobs as an IP paralegal or legal assistant. Any advice on how to land this job? Hope you’re having a great day! ❤

[@rachel_lin]

Hi Joyce! General advice, I would say to make sure you research the firm and position before any interviews! Also, googling paralegal/legal assistant interview questions and practicing those general questions can be helpful. I usually try to come up with answers/examples for the basic questions that relate to the position/IP- tell me about yourself, why do you want this position, what prior experience do you have etc. If you have more specific questions, let me know!

[@joyced6309]

@@rachel_lin thank you! 💕

[@PTech_Inc.]

Hi Rachel

[@rachel_lin]

Good morning! 😃