Engineering Patent Agent

A law firm is seeking an Engineering Patent Agent for their New York City office. The individual will be responsible for evaluating the patentability of innovations and invention disclosures, as well as preparing, drafting, and filing patent applications. The role involves drafting responses to domestic and foreign Office Actions, performing research and analysis on patent and Intellectual Property issues, and conducting prior art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses. The Engineering Patent Agent will also prepare draft amendments to patent claims, specifications, and abstracts, and assist patent attorneys with the global prosecution of complex patent families.

Job Overview:

• Evaluate the patentability of innovations and invention disclosures.
• Prepare, draft, and file patent applications.
• Draft responses to domestic and foreign Office Actions.
• Perform research and analysis on patent and IP-related issues.
• Conduct prior art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses.
• Prepare draft amendments to patent claims, specifications, and abstracts.
• Assist patent attorneys with global prosecution of complex patent families.

Requirements:

• 2 years of experience drafting original patent applications and prosecuting pending applications in electrical and mechanical arts.
• Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent technical experience.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Candidates currently licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as an agent strongly preferred.
• Consideration is given to candidates with extensive experience planning to take the Patent Bar.
• Familiarity with Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) practice is preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent academic credentials and references.

Skills:

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively, handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.

This firm is a white shoe in DC, but does not hold quite the prestige in New York. Nonetheless, associate life here is very much the best of both worlds, as associates work in this modern space age office with no minimum billable hour requirements. Does that mean associates aren't working hard? Of course not. But the emphasis here is training, training, and trainingnot numbers crunching. With a fairly predictable but somewhat political partnership track, associates feel that they have a solid place in the organization.