Patent Agent - Life Sciences

Job Overview:
A leading global law firm is seeking a qualified Patent Agent to join its prestigious Intellectual Property Practice Group. The selected candidate will be responsible for preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with a focus on life sciences, including molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. This role provides an opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with direct exposure to clients and senior partners, offering a hybrid in-office/remote working schedule. The position is available at various office locations.

Location:

• Chicago, Illinois

Duties:

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO
• Perform prior art searches and patentability analysis
• Conduct intellectual property (IP) due diligence
• Engage in practice development activities to foster and maintain client relationships
• Draft and prepare substantive client correspondence
• Instruct local counsel for foreign filings and manage Office Actions
• Assist in patent clearance studies and other patent-related opinion projects
• Analyze scientific documents to assess patentability, novelty, and inventiveness
• Convert provisional applications into utility applications
• Manage the conversion of foreign filed applications into U.S. applications and vice versa

Requirements:

• Minimum of one year of experience as a practicing patent agent in life sciences, or two years of professional experience in the life sciences field
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Strong expertise in life sciences, particularly molecular biology, cell biology, or biochemistry
• Ability to conduct detailed research and analysis of scientific and patent documents
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines

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:

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

Skills:

• Expertise in patent prosecution and patent law
• Strong research and analytical abilities
• Advanced technical knowledge in life sciences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects

Benefits:

• Hybrid work schedule offering flexibility between in-office and remote work
• Law school tuition reimbursement program for employees pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree
• Equal employment opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion
• Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities during the application process
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative and innovative environment with global clients

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.