Patent Agent

A law firm is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Patent Agent to join their team in Houston, TX. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications related to chemistry or materials science. This role demands a strong understanding of various materials and their applications, as well as proficiency in modern processing and discovery principles. Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications focused on chemistry, physics, and materials science.
• Conduct thorough patentability, state-of-the-art, infringement, and validity searches and analyses.
• Draft and provide detailed patent opinions for clients.
• Collaborate with inventors to gain a comprehensive understanding of their inventions.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in patent law and relevant technological advancements.
• Assist in patent litigation and enforcement matters as needed.
• Advise clients on effective strategies for developing and managing their patent portfolios.
• Analyze and review patent portfolios to identify areas of strength and potential vulnerabilities.
• Participate in client meetings and business development activities to foster strong client relationships.

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting chemistry or materials science-related patent applications.
• Proven ability to conduct patentability, state-of-the-art, infringement, and validity searches and analyses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational skills.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, or materials science and engineering is required.
• An advanced degree or equivalent experience in materials science is strongly preferred.

Certifications:

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

Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of various materials (e.g., metals, polymers, catalytic materials, ceramics, liquid crystals, composites) and their applications (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, electronics, biotechnology, nanotechnology).
• Understanding of modern processing and discovery principles (e.g., casting, additive manufacturing, coating, evaporation, plasma and radiation processing, artificial intelligence, computer simulations).
• Proficiency in using patent search databases and tools.
• Strong technical writing skills for drafting detailed and accurate patent documents.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development.

This firm has almost 40 years of experience and specializes in all aspects of intellectual property law. There are five law offices and a fairly large team of very skilled attorneys that comprise their legal practice. Patents, trademarks, trade dress and unfair competition are some of their areas of practice.