Legal professionals choose to work at Pierce Atwood for many reasons. For some it's the opportunity to work at a successful firm with a first-class national reputation, for others it's the chance to work on interesting matters from small, local clients to large, national or international clients, and for many it's to work with smart people who value collaboration and collegiality.

The Director of Information Technology is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the firm’s information technology function. The director will develop, implement, and drive technology strategy, roadmaps, solutions, and operations to enhance the firm’s success, in alignment with its goals and objectives. 

The Director of Information Technology will lead a team of approximately nine professionals and report to the firm’s Chief Operating Officer.

The Director of Information Technology will:

  • Lead all areas of the firm’s information technology function, including cloud, security, applications, network infrastructure, telecommunications, audio-visual, system integrations, support, litigation support, and technology learning; manage prioritization of initiatives, and ensure that information technology strategy is cohesive with overall firm strategy, providing best-in-class enablement of business operations and legal services delivery.
  • Communicate information technology goals and objectives to firm leadership, lawyers, and business professionals, and cultivate and maintain strong lines of communication with end-users; act as an advisor and partner to firm management to advance improvements in efficiency and effectiveness through automation and other innovations.
  • Develop and manage the firm’s information technology budget, contracts, and vendor negotiations; manage information technology expenses to keep them in line with industry averages and the value that they provide to the firm; maintain appropriate operational metrics for information technology functions.
  • Provide direction for all information technology-related issues including privacy, access, and security as well as ensuring legal compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations.
  • Ensure that information security controls, policies, operations, and training are in line with industry best practices. Build upon the firm’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance program.
  • Ensure responsive 24/7 support for the firm’s information technology function, including all end-user applications, infrastructure, and devices; provide for high availability of all firm systems and applications, and appropriate disaster recovery and business continuity contingencies.
  • Serve as a key representative and technology spokesperson for the firm at external events; actively participate in technology networking opportunities.
  • Monitor current trends and best practices in legal and professional services information technology strategies and management; communicate the impact of new innovations, strategies, developments, and regulations, and make appropriate recommendations for action.
  • Foster a culture that is team-oriented and committed to professional excellence and the highest levels of client service; manage, mentor, and develop staff, implement proper succession planning for key positions, and ensure that all functional resources are in alignment with the firm’s vision.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A minimum of 15-20 years of broad-based information technology experience with a law firm or other highly sophisticated organization.
  • Extensive experience leading all areas of the information technology function including cloud, security, applications, network infrastructure, telecommunications, audio-visual, system integrations, support, litigation support, and technology learning; familiarity with a broad range of technology platforms, systems, tools, and applications, and corresponding budgets.
  • Dynamic energy level, clear passion and enthusiasm for the work, tenacity, an unquestioned work ethic, and a level of professional excellence that engenders complete confidence from firm management, attorneys, and other key stakeholders.
  • Expertise in information security and related controls, policies, and technologies available to protect the firm.
  • Outstanding analytical skills, an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic, with comprehensive knowledge of complex business principles and practices, in order to conduct detailed analyses of business operations.
  • High degree of initiative and critical thinking skills, exercising independent judgment and decision-making in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment; ability to function in stressful situations and think strategically and analytically to quickly troubleshoot and resolve issues.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills: the ability to lead through influence rather than control and to create consensus-based support for business strategies and decisions; the ability to build highly effective working relationships with senior firm leadership, partners, and other key leaders and professionals; ability to respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
  • Superior presentation, writing, verbal communication, and listening skills; the ability to interact credibly and diplomatically with all levels in an organization and the outside community – tailoring effectively for different groups and stakeholders.
  • Proven success managing, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams, committed to superior levels of client service, team-orientation, and professional excellence.
  • An undergraduate degree is required, advanced degrees preferred.

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to Susan van Vollenhoven at svanvollenhoven@pierceatwood.com. 

Responsibilities Include:

  • Opening new client matters
  • Maintaining electronic patent prosecution files
  • Preparing patent application filing documents, including application data sheets, declarations, powers of attorney, assignments, and PCT requests
  • Managing the signature workflow for formal documents (e.g., declarations, assignments, and powers of attorney)
  • Recording and filing documents with the USPTO
  • Drafting reporting letters for incoming USPTO and non-US patent office documents as well as foreign agent correspondence
  • Preparing office action response shells and attending to electronic filings of responses
  • Drafting information disclosure statements and obtaining foreign art and non-patent literature
  • Reviewing incoming documents for prior art to cite in information disclosure statements
  • Corresponding with foreign agents
  • Overseeing attorney dockets and calendars to ensure deadlines are met and actions are timely reported to clients
  • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of USPTO procedures
  • Other duties as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

  • A minimum of five years patent support experience
  • Knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent filing and prosecution
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, standard patent docketing systems, and standard document management databases
  • Proficiency in Patent Center and ePCT
  • Consistent attention to detail
  • BA/BS degree preferred

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com