Patent Associate Attorney

A law firm is seeking a Patent Associate Attorney with the following qualifications:

Job Overview:

The Patent Associate Attorney will assist with patent prosecution, particularly focusing on medicinal chemistry, small molecules, pharmaceuticals, synthetic methods, polymer science, and drug discovery. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of patent law are essential for success in this role.

Duties:

• Prepared and prosecuted patent applications in medicinal chemistry, small molecules, pharmaceuticals, synthetic methods, polymer science, and drug discovery.
• Conduct patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Provide strategic intellectual property counseling to clients.
• Collaborate with inventors, scientists, and other attorneys to develop and execute patent strategies.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal opinions.
• Participate in client meetings, hearings, and negotiations.

Requirements:

• 2-4 years of patent prosecution experience.
• Advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D., in Chemistry.
• Strong academic credentials with a focus on patent law coursework preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or eligibility for admission.

Education:

• An advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in chemistry or a related field is required.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Admitted to practice law in at least one state.
• Admission to practice before the USPTO is preferred.

Skills:

• Proficiency in patent prosecution procedures and practices.
• Strong understanding of patent laws and regulations.
• Ability to analyze complex scientific and technical information.
• Proficient in legal research and writing.
• Familiarity with intellectual property management software is a plus.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

This is one of our favorite firms. Founded on the intellectual and academic foundations of the law, this firm has a casual open door policy where lawyers are just as likely to be debating the constitutionality of a local statute and discussing the weather. Prominent lecturers and professors in the community, this firm's partners are truly excited about the practice of law, and instill that same feeling throughout the firm. With beautiful open offices, this firm's tries to be as progressive as possible when it comes to lawyers' lives (and remain profitable). Associates say that partners are truly accommodating in terms of hours and assignments, which is not to say that the lawyers here don't work hard. But, when a partner takes the time to tell an associate about a project well enough in advance to allow the associate to budget their time, the office environment can substantially improve. And so it is in this full service practice, where we believe some of the most exciting work is being done in the intellectual property arena.