Patent Agent

Job Title: Patent Agent

Job Overview: A law firm in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a skilled Patent Agent registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The ideal candidate will possess 5+ years of patent prosecution experience and a technical background in the biological and pharmaceutical sciences. The candidate should have a Ph.D. or M.S. in cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, virology, a related technical field, or one or more of chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, or equivalent disciplines. This position requires excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to conduct prior art searches and analyze patents and scientific papers for patent preparation, prosecution, and counseling.

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
• Collaborate with attorneys and inventors to draft patent applications
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Assist with patent portfolio management and strategy

Requirements:

• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• 5+ years of patent prosecution experience
• Ph.D. or M.S. focused in cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, virology, or a related technical field; or chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, or equivalent discipline
• Technical background in the biological sciences and pharmaceutical sciences preferred
• Broad technical knowledge in relevant fields
• Excellent academic record
• Fluency in English

Education:

• Ph.D. or M.S. in relevant technical fields

Certifications:

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

Skills:

• Prior art searching
• Patent analysis
• Written and verbal communication
• Patent preparation and prosecution
• Technical comprehension and communication
• Portfolio management and strategy

Attorneys from all backgrounds and experience levels comprise this international corporate law firm, which currently represents over a fifth of the Fortune 500 companies. This success stems from the firm's combination of client value and attorney reward, with a compensation structure that favors client objectives over hours billed and an environment of flexibility, skill development, and teamwork at its Orange Valley and Silicon Valley offices.