Life Sciences Patent Agent

A law firm is seeking a Life Sciences Patent Agent for their Chicago, IL location. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in preparing and prosecuting patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office, conducting prior art searches, and providing patentability analysis. The candidate should possess expertise in life sciences, with a focus on molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Job Overview: The Life Sciences Patent Agent will be responsible for preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, conducting prior art searches, and engaging in IP due diligence activities. They will also play a vital role in practice development, client relationship management, and providing expert guidance in life sciences patent matters.

Duties:

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Conduct prior art searches and analyses to assess patentability.
• Engage in IP due diligence activities.
• Build and maintain client relationships through practice development efforts.
• Prepare substantive client correspondence related to patent matters.
• Instruct local counsel for foreign filings and Office Actions.
• Assist in patent clearance studies and other patent-related opinion projects.
• Apply advanced concepts in life sciences, with an emphasis on molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
• Study and analyze scientific or technical documents, including previously published patent documents.
• Convert provisional applications into utility applications and vice versa.
• Convert foreign filed applications into U.S. applications and U.S. applications into foreign applications.

Requirements:

• An advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a biological field (e.g., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or Biomedical Engineering) with excellent academic credentials.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a practicing patent agent in the field of life sciences.
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Education:

• Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in a biological field with excellent academic credentials.

Certifications:

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

Skills:

• Strong knowledge and expertise in life sciences, particularly molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
• Proficiency in patent application preparation, prosecution, and prior art searching.
• Exceptional analytical and research skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Client relationship management and practice development abilities.

Benefits offered: The firm offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave.

This large law firm opened with a labor and leveraged-leasing practice and quickly built a substantial corporate and litigation practice. Today, the firm focuses its practice on business and finance, investment management, litigation, labor and employment, real estate and environmental issues. Attorneys at the firm enjoy a faily casual, though conservative, environment where partners tend to be collegial and offer excellent formal and informal training programs. In addition to recieving fair market salaries, associates at the firm have the opportunity to participate in award winning pro bono work.