Lateral Patent Associate Attorney

A law firm in Kansas City, MO, is seeking a Lateral Patent Associate Attorney to assist with the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, provide patentability and clearance opinions, manage patent estates, and engage in patent licensing and enforcement for a diverse clientele. The ideal candidate will handle multiple legal matters at different stages, ensuring high-quality legal work, meeting billing requirements, and actively contributing to business development efforts.

Duties:

• Assist in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications across various technical fields, including software, computer science, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
• Provide clients with patentability and clearance opinions to guide their intellectual property strategies.
• Manage and oversee patent estate portfolios, including licensing and enforcement of patents.
• Simultaneously manage the high-level and strategic aspects of multiple legal matters, from their initial inception to successful conclusion.
• Produce high-quality legal work and meet hourly billing requirements to ensure exceptional client services.
• Actively participate in business development initiatives, both at the group and individual levels, to generate new business opportunities.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Bachelor's or higher degree in electrical, computer, or mechanical engineering, or computer science.
• Licensed to practice law in good standing in one or more jurisdictions where the firm conducts business.
• Must maintain applicable license renewal and fulfill Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements.
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• A minimum of 1 year of experience as a licensed attorney at a law firm.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-8 years of experience as a licensed attorney at a law firm.
• Prior experience in patent preparation and prosecution, particularly in software, computer science, electrical, or mechanical engineering areas.

Skills:

• Proficiency in patent prosecution and intellectual property law.
• Strong analytical and research skills to assess patentability and clearance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Effective multitasking capabilities to manage multiple legal matters concurrently.
• Business development skills with a proven track record of generating new business opportunities.
• In-depth knowledge of patent portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement.

Independent lawyering with top of the market pay, this firm offers flexible hours, a good work/life balance, and diverse clientele. This firm entrusts its associates to take on a work load of their choice and provides a collegial environment to do so. This firm also values diversity, receiving a perfect score on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index.