Supreme Court and Appellate Associate - Patent Appeals and Intellectual Property

Job Overview

A law firm seeks a Supreme Court and Appellate Associate specializing in patent appeals and intellectual property for any U.S. office. The ideal candidate will engage in high-profile cases within a collegial and diverse environment, focusing on complex technical matters in the high-tech and life-sciences industries.

Duties

• Focus on Federal Circuit patent appeals and IP cases in high-tech and life-sciences sectors.
• Draft appellate briefs, petitions for certiorari, and amicus briefs.
• Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis on patent-law and IP issues.
• Develop appellate strategy and identify key legal arguments.
• Collaborate with trial teams to preserve appellate issues.
• Prepare for and participate in moot courts and oral argument preparation.
• Advise clients on appellate procedure and strategic considerations.
• Engage deeply with technical subject matter.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.
• 2-7 years of experience in appellate litigation, focusing on patent and IP appeals.
• Prior clerkship experience, especially with the Federal Circuit or a district court with a significant patent docket.
• Experience drafting appellate briefs and substantive motions in patent or IP matters.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
• Experience with life-sciences patent matters is ideal but not required.

Education

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.

Skills

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to distill complex technical and legal issues into clear arguments.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Mental well-being programs.
• Child, family, elder, and pet care benefits.
• Short- and long-term disability and parental leave benefits.
• Health savings account contributions and flexible spending accounts.
• 401K program.
• Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.

This Silicon Valley firm offers a full-service practice which covers a number of areas, including: intellectual property, corporate, and labor & employment. The firms intellectual property practice is both rapidly expanding and exceptionally solid; the firms intellectual property attorneys have extensive experience in state, federal, and international litigation, as well as licensing, litigation avoidance and other matters across the complete spectrum of intellectual property issues. The atmosphere is collegial, but slightly more conservative than most Bay Area firms. Salaries are in line with other top Bay Area firms, and the firm provides a sizable bonus for all lawyers who bill at least 1,950 hours, with additional money based on three separate billable-hour levels above 1,950.