Senior Patent Agent

Job Title: Senior Patent Agent

Job Overview: A law firm in Houston, TX, is seeking a highly experienced senior patent agent registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The ideal candidate will possess 10+ years of patent prosecution experience and hold a Ph.D. or M.S. degree in a relevant technical field, with a preference for backgrounds in cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, virology, chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, or related disciplines. The Senior Patent Agent will conduct prior art searches, analyze patents and scientific papers, assist with patent preparation, prosecution, and counseling, and develop patent portfolio management strategies.

Duties:

• Conduct prior art searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses
• Analyze patents and scientific papers to assist with patent preparation, prosecution, and counseling
• Develop patent portfolio management strategies
• Collaborate with attorneys and inventors to identify patentable inventions and draft patent applications
• Assist in patent litigation and due diligence matters
• Stay abreast of developments in patent law and relevant scientific fields

Requirements:

• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• 10+ years of patent prosecution experience
• Ph.D. or M.S. degree in cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, virology, chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, or equivalent discipline
• Technical background in biological sciences and pharmaceutical sciences preferred
• Broad technical knowledge
• Experience with patent portfolio management and strategy development highly desirable
• Excellent academic record
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, fluency in English required

Education:

• Ph.D. or M.S. degree in a relevant technical field

Certifications:

• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Skills:

• Prior art searching
• Patent analysis
• Patent preparation and prosecution
• Patent portfolio management
• Strategic planning
• Legal writing
• Communication

Areas of specialization are corporate transaction and litigation law with a concentration on local business matters. A team of well-established attorneys comprise the Houston office. They're hands-on in many professional and community service activities throughout the year. There are thirteen areas of practice. A number of their practice disciplines consist of energy, oil-gas, real estate, intellectual property, technology, environmental, business litigation-appeals, and corporate securities.