Patent Agent - Life Sciences

Job Overview: A leading global law firm is seeking a Patent Agent to join its highly regarded Intellectual Property Practice Group. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in the life sciences field. This role offers a hybrid in-office/remote working schedule with a variety of office location options and will involve close collaboration with a team of partners in the practice group. The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related field, and will handle significant client responsibilities while providing high-quality legal services to domestic and foreign clients.

Location:

• Palo Alto, CA

Duties:

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO
• Conduct prior art searches and analysis
• Perform patentability analysis and provide IP due diligence
• Engage in practice development to build and maintain client relationships
• Prepare substantive client correspondence
• Instruct local counsel for foreign filings and Office Actions
• Assist in patent clearance studies and patent-related opinion projects
• Analyze scientific and technical documents to assess patentability, novelty, and inventiveness
• Convert provisional applications into utility applications
• Convert foreign-filed applications into U.S. applications and vice versa

Requirements:

• At least one year of experience as a practicing patent agent in life sciences or two years of professional experience in the field
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Ability to apply advanced concepts in life sciences, particularly molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related fields
• Excellent writing, research, communication, and organizational skills

Education:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a biological field such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or Biomedical Engineering
• Strong academic credentials

Certifications:

• Must be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Skills:

• Strong technical understanding of life sciences
• Expertise in patent law and prosecution procedures
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication
• Advanced research skills with attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities

Benefits:

• Hybrid work schedule with flexible office locations
• Law school tuition reimbursement program for employees pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree
• Equal employment opportunity with a commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Accommodation for applicants with disabilities or other needs

This large law firm opened with a labor and leveraged-leasing practice and quickly built a substantial corporate and litigation practice. Today, the firm focuses its practice on business and finance, investment management, litigation, labor and employment, real estate and environmental issues. Attorneys at the firm enjoy a faily casual, though conservative, environment where partners tend to be collegial and offer excellent formal and informal training programs. In addition to recieving fair market salaries, associates at the firm have the opportunity to participate in award winning pro bono work.