Mike Jolly

- Oversee all aspects of the firm's IP practices, including developing and implementing policies, procedures, and best practices for IP asset management, docketing, prosecution, maintenance, enforcement, and licensing.

- Partner with the IP Chairs and firm leadership to define and execute a practice-wide operational strategy for a multi-office Patent and Trademark Practice Group, aligning resources, processes, and technology to firm priorities and growth targets.

- Developed multi-year operational roadmaps to scale IP operations, integrating capacity planning, staffing models, and workflow redesign to improve efficiency, quality, and profitability.

- Led the design and rollout of innovative operational frameworks and technology solutions, including the development and launch of a streamlined practitioner’s view of our docket system, and IP skills templates for utilizing AI in specific prosecution activities (drafting, responding to OAs, and docketing).

- Built and governed comprehensive operational policies, procedures, and best practices across domestic and international patent teams; ensured adherence to client guidelines, firm policies, and applicable patent rules and regulations.

- Provided executive oversight to docketing, litigation, marketing/business development, and risk management teams; mentored managers and team leads to strengthen leadership capability, accountability, and client service excellence.

- Drove change management for new technologies, processes, and organizational structures, communicating a vision, enabling adoption, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

- Established and managed KPIs, dashboards, and performance reviews; analyzed operational and financial data to identify trends, optimize utilization, and inform strategic decision-making.

- Produced executive-level reports and presentations for practice leadership, translating operational insights into actionable recommendations, and measurable outcomes.

- Collaborated closely with Finance, IT, HR, and Risk to ensure cohesive operational integration, budget discipline, technology enablement, and compliance with internal controls.

- Anticipated client and business needs by partnering with partners and practice leaders; translated demand signals into scalable staffing, technology, and process solutions.

- Maintained thought leadership in IP operations by tracking industry trends, emerging technologies, and changes in patent law; represented the firm in external forums and practice groups.

- Oversaw the evaluation, selection, and optimization of patent operations software and platforms; partnered with the patent practice support lawyer to prioritize requirements, manage backlogs, and ensure user adoption.

- Managed third-party vendors and service providers end-to-end, including contracts, SLAs, performance monitoring, and cost/value optimization, in line with firm standards.

• Oversaw all aspects of IP operations, developing and implementing policies and best practices for asset management.
• Ensured compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies regarding IP management.
• Implemented a new docketing platform, managing teams for smooth software adoption and enhancements.
• Identified optimization areas, supplementing current practices with effective solutions.
• Transitioned IP Practice Group to a new docketing system, including data mapping and workflow customization.
• Led a team of IP professionals, providing guidance, mentoring, and training to enhance talent retention.
• Set performance goals and conducted evaluations, delivering constructive feedback to team members.
• Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for protecting clients' IP assets through portfolio assessments.

• Supervised Patent Professionals, ensuring compliance with policies on billable hours, docket management, and attendance.
• Conducted and organized informational webinars with foreign agents and vendor partners for staff and attorneys.
• Trained and onboarded new hires to enhance team capabilities.
• Provided first-level support to Patent Professionals on IP-specific inquiries and operational issues.
• Monitored schedules of Patent Professionals, ensuring adherence to regular hours and processing time-off requests.
• Facilitated regular team meetings to discuss ongoing projects, team dynamics, and firm updates.
• Researched and implemented new technology/software to improve group efficiency.
• Reviewed and updated the firm's best practices and procedures to maintain operational excellence.

• Reviewed foreign dockets for diverse client portfolio, ensuring compliance and accurate updates.
• Prepared PCT applications via US and IB receiving offices using e-PCT.
• Managed client accounts efficiently to meet annual billing requirements.
• Corresponded with clients and inventors to secure necessary assignments and declarations.
• Reported incoming correspondence to clients, providing timely docket updates.
• Coordinated foreign filings from PCT and US matters to ensure seamless operations.
• Supported business development through targeted research and recruitment assistance.
• Cultivated strategic partnerships with foreign associates to enhance collaboration.

• Reviewed Office Actions and filed Terminal Disclaimers, IDS, and Amendment responses.
• Analyzed Notice of Allowance actions to prepare Patent Term Adjustments.
• Prepared responses to Notices of Missing Parts, Amendments after Allowance, and Notices of Appeal.
• Corresponded with clients and inventors to secure assignments, declarations, and oaths.
• Coordinated foreign filings stemming from PCT and US matters.
• Monitored filing dates alongside divisional and continuation deadlines.

• Analyze foreign correspondence and appropriately record in docketing system.
• Prepare and submit PCT applications and foreign filings.
• Prepare foreign filing country estimates.
• Acquire and submit required documents for foreign filings.
• Monitor a variety of critical PCT filing deadlines and response dates.

• Reviewed, proofed, and edited all submissions to USPTO from firm.
• Transitioned firm from paper files to electronic filing systems.
• Conducted interviews with new hires to assess qualifications.
• Managed annual budget and firm expenditures effectively.
• Oversaw small support staff and trained new employees.
• Prepared firm invoices for E-Billing and recorded payments in accounts receivable.
• Processed invoices from external vendors and submitted them to clients for payment.
• Provided monthly and quarterly budget projections for financial planning.

• Oversaw daily operational and administrative functions of firm.
• Docketed and processed all incoming cases for calendar management.
• Coordinated with inventors and applicants to secure signed assignments and declarations.