Patent Prosecution Agent

A law firm is seeking a highly skilled Patent Prosecution Agent to join its Intellectual Property (IP) team in San Francisco, CA. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and prosecuting patent applications, managing IP portfolios, and developing strategies for life sciences or medical innovations. This position requires a Ph.D.-level background in life sciences or medicine, 2-20 years of relevant experience, and outstanding writing and analytical skills. USPTO registration is essential. This role offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

• Patent Preparation & Prosecution
  • Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications in the life sciences and medical technology sectors.
  • Manage patent prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including responding to office actions and conducting interviews with patent examiners.
  • Collaborate with inventors and clients to accurately capture and protect innovations in patent filings.
  • Handle both domestic and international patent prosecution, coordinating with foreign counsel as needed.
• IP Strategy & Portfolio Management
  • Develop and implement IP strategies that align with clients' business objectives, ensuring comprehensive protection for their technologies.
  • Manage client patent portfolios, providing strategic advice on optimizing and expanding their IP assets.
  • Conduct patentability assessments, freedom-to-operate analyses, and due diligence for acquisitions or licensing opportunities.
  • Provide counsel on patent risks, competitive positioning, and broader IP strategies tailored to the life sciences or medical sectors.
• Client Communication & Relationship Management
  • Maintain regular communication with clients to provide updates on patent applications and prosecution strategy.
  • Offer expert guidance on intellectual property matters, ensuring clients are informed of opportunities and risks related to their patents.
  • Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients by delivering high-quality legal and strategic advice.
• Legal Research & Documentation
  • Stay current on developments in patent law and life sciences technologies to ensure clients' IP portfolios remain competitive.
  • Conduct legal research to support prosecution efforts and patent filings, with a focus on emerging trends in biotechnology and medical innovations.
  • Prepare and review legal documents, including patent applications, office action responses, and legal opinions.

Required Qualifications

• Education
  • Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, or a related field.
  • Strong academic background, with a thorough understanding of life sciences technologies.
• Certifications & Licenses
  • USPTO Registration is required.
  • Admission to a state bar (preferred but not mandatory).
• Experience
  • 2-20 years of experience in patent preparation and prosecution, preferably with a focus on life sciences or medical technologies.
  • Proven experience managing patent portfolios and providing strategic IP counsel to clients.
  • Experience working directly with clients and handling complex patent matters independently.
• Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional writing and analytical skills, particularly in the preparation of patent applications and responses to USPTO actions.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effectively interacting with clients, inventors, and colleagues.
  • Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational abilities, capable of handling complex patent matters independently or collaboratively.
  • Proficiency in patent research tools and databases, with a focus on life sciences technologies.

Benefits

• Compensation & Incentives
  • Competitive salary with a discretionary performance-based bonus.
  • Overtime pay as applicable.
• Health & Welfare
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement & Financial Security
  • Firm contributions to retirement plans, including 401(k) options.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays
  • Paid holidays and generous PTO policies to ensure work-life balance.

Since three decades ago, this law firm has provided exceptional legal advice. Their areas of practice include intellectual property, regulatory, tax, international, business, and finance. their offices are located in California, DC, Colorado, and Virginia.