Working At Oblon, Spivak

Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C. is an intellectual property law firm with over 300 support staff employees. We have been in business since 1968. We enjoy a worldwide reputation in the field of intellectual property law and represent a number of Japanese, European and other international companies, as well as a large U.S. clientele. Our patent practice is number one in the country in the total number of patents obtained for our clients. Our well-respected trademark and copyright practice area is extremely active with both domestic and international clients. Our litigation practice area is perhaps the fastest growing practice area in the firm. We represent domestic and international corporations, agencies, and universities in resolving disputes before various courts and government agencies.

We offer a number of career opportunities in administrative support of the patent and trademark process. Jobs at our firm offer employees the opportunity to develop specialized skills and experience in the field of intellectual property law. The possibilities for career growth through the development of new skills and the assignment of additional responsibility are numerous. Many of our supervisors held support positions at the firm prior to transferring into supervision. We have many employees who have stayed with the firm for a long period of time. Members of our support staff personnel have recently celebrated 10, 20 and even 30 years of service to the firm.

We are located in Alexandria, Virginia, very close to the King Street Metro and the Virginia Railway Express. Employees find our location not only convenient to public transportation, but also for running errands during lunch and after work.

A relaxed and friendly atmosphere is cultivated while providing clients with an uncompromising quality of service. We sponsor a number of events for our employees, including a holiday party at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C., a staff appreciation lunch, pizza parties, ice cream sundae parties, Take our Children to Work Day, and charitable fund-raising events such as the Race for the Cure.

Staff pay at Oblon, Spivak, is competitive with the Washington, DC legal market. In addition to a paycheck, we offer a number of benefit programs.

Interested in learning more? Take a look at some of the questions most frequently asked by applicants.

What is it like to work at Oblon, Spivak? We believe that everyone at Oblon, Spivak is a valuable participant in a team effort to serve our clients. We find that our employees take satisfaction in mastering the processes and procedures associated with their role on the team.

What type of support staff positions are available at Oblon, Spivak? Oblon, Spivak employs over 300 support staff employees in the patent prosecution, litigation, interference and trademark practices areas, as well as accounting, administration, foreign filings, IT, office support, patent processing and word processing. We have opportunities available at many levels of skills and experience, ranging from entry level positions to those requiring experience in patent law. Our positions offer the opportunity to learn and gain experience in intellectual property law.

What are the requirements in order to be considered for a position at Oblon, Spivak? All of our support staff positions require keen attention to detail, initiative, and the ability and willingness to master the procedures of patent law. Some positions require typing skills. Secretarial positions require strong typing and word processing skills in addition to the skills mentioned above.

How are performance reviews done? Performance reviews are done annually, usually in the anniversary month of hire. Supervisors, along with attorneys in the case of secretarial positions, review employee performance. We place importance on quality and accuracy of work, as well as productivity.

What is the firm's dress code? We have a business casual dress code five days a week, year-round.

Oblon, Spivak is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, or covered veteran's status.