Associate Patent Attorney
Remote
West Coast Time Zone Preference
$175K - $225k
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Associate Patent Attorney to support domestic and international patent prosecution and counseling for clients across software, hardware, and physical sciences. The successful candidate will prepare and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO and coordinate foreign filings, provide strategic patentability and freedom-to-operate advice, and work closely with inventors and outside counsel to build and manage patent portfolios. Ideal candidates will have a strong technical background in computer science, electrical engineering, or physics and hands‑on experience with USPTO practice and international patent systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and draft U.S. utility and provisional patent applications, including detailed specifications and claims tailored to client business objectives
- Prosecute patent applications before the USPTO: prepare responses to Office Actions, interview examiners, and manage appeals when necessary
- Coordinate and oversee foreign and international filings (PCT, EPO, and direct foreign national filings) and collaborate with foreign associates to protect client rights globally
- Conduct patentability, clearance, validity, and freedom‑to‑operate analyses and deliver clear, practical opinions to clients
- Work with inventors and engineering teams to capture inventions, conduct prior art searches, and formulate claim strategies that maximize enforceability and scope
- Assist with patent portfolio management, docketing oversight, and budgeting for prosecution and maintenance fees
- Provide support for litigation, licensing, and due diligence matters, including preparing technical and legal analyses and assisting with discovery and expert preparation
- Communicate complex technical and legal concepts clearly in written and oral form to clients, inventors, and internal teams
- Mentor junior staff and paralegals, review work product for quality and consistency, and contribute to process improvements within the practice group
Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- Active USPTO registration preferred; candidates with registration in process will be considered
- Bachelors degree or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field; advanced degrees (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred
- 2+ years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm or corporate environment, including drafting and responding to USPTO Office Actions and handling international filings
- Demonstrated experience with domestic and international patent systems (USPTO, PCT, EPO, and key foreign jurisdictions)
- Strong technical comprehension and the ability to work with software and hardware inventions and physical science innovations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical ability, and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines independently and collaborate effectively across teams and with outside counsel
- Experience with patent search tools, docketing systems, and electronic filing portals is a plus