Patent Agent - Intellectual Property

Job Overview

A law firm seeks a Patent Agent in Washington, D.C. to join its Intellectual Property Practice Group. The role involves preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The position offers a hybrid in-office/remote working schedule and involves significant client responsibilities.

Duties

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO.
• Perform prior art searches and patentability analysis.
• Conduct IP due diligence and engage in practice development activities.
• Prepare substantive client correspondence.
• Instruct local counsel for foreign filings and Office Actions.
• Assist in patent clearance studies and other patent-related opinion projects.
• Apply advanced concepts in technology fields, especially in electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering.
• Analyze scientific or technical documents to assess patentability, novelty, and inventiveness.
• Convert provisional applications into utility applications and manage U.S. and foreign application conversions.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience prosecuting or examining patent applications in the electrical arts.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO or eligible to sit for the patent agent exam.
• Excellent writing and research abilities, with strong organizational skills.

Education

• Bachelor's or graduate degree in electrical engineering preferred; degrees in computer science, physics, computer engineering, or mechanical engineering considered.

Certifications

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

Skills

• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational skills.

Benefits

• Law school tuition reimbursement program.
• 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and accident insurance plans.
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program, Work/Life Services, HealthAdvocate, and Bright Horizons Back-Up Child Care.
• WageWorks Commuter Benefits.
• 9 paid holidays, 2 personal days, and up to 20 vacation days per year.
• Paid sick leave, bereavement leave, parental leave, and pregnancy disability leave.

One of DC's most powerful firms is this one. Truly an international giant in every sense of the word, business and finance, M&A, labor law and litigation reign supreme here although the IP practice is coming into its own also. Like many other large firms attrition is high at times, but overall the associates here are well-credentialed and well paid. In DC, this firm's litigation section, especially with respect to technology and intellectual property disputes, tops the list in terms of prestige. However, this is one of the few firms that virtually guarantees great work and top-notch training, regardless of the practice area.