Patent Prosecution & Litigation Associate - Electrical Engineering & Software

A law firm seeks an experienced Associate to join its Patent Prosecution & Litigation team in Winston Salem, NC, focusing on Electrical Engineering and Software. This position offers the opportunity to work on high-stakes intellectual property matters, particularly in the fields of electrical engineering, software, and telecommunications technologies.

Duties:

• Manage patent prosecution and litigation matters, with an emphasis on electrical engineering and software technologies.
• Draft and file patent applications, respond to office actions and engage in ongoing patent strategy discussions.
• Advise clients on patent portfolios, strategic IP decisions, and complex patent issues.
• Participate in patent litigation activities, including discovery, legal research, and preparation of legal documents.
• Conduct patent analyses, research prior art, and assist in the preparation of patent opinions.
• Work with advanced technologies, including networking, wireless communication (3G/4G/5G), and semiconductor design.
• Interface with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and manage patent prosecution procedures.

Requirements:

• 2-6 years of experience in patent prosecution and litigation, particularly in electrical engineering, software, or computer science.
• Must be registered with the USPTO and have practical experience in patent preparation, prosecution, and litigation.
• A technical background in electrical engineering, software, or related fields is essential.
• Knowledge of wireless networking, telecommunications technologies (such as 3G/4G/5G), or semiconductor design is preferred.
• Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Associate candidates must be licensed to practice law or eligible for licensure in their state.

Education:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field is required.

Certifications:

• Registration with the USPTO is required.
• State bar licensure is required (California licensure is a plus for candidates in that jurisdiction).

Skills:

• Expertise in patent law, particularly related to electrical engineering and software.
• Strong technical writing and legal research capabilities.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for clients and colleagues.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with clients in the tech, networking, and telecommunications sectors is a plus.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance and 401(k) plan.
• Paid Days Off (PDO) and vacation time.
• Discretionary performance-based bonus potential.

This role presents an excellent opportunity to grow your expertise in patent law while working with advanced technologies in a dynamic legal environment.

This rapidly growing firm has some serious chops with regards to the energy and natural resources, financial, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, retail, transportation, life sciences, communications, and health care sectors. Given the firm?s growth status, this firm promises multiple opportunities for associates to catch a wave and get in on the ground floor of something big.