Life Sciences Patent Agent

Job Overview: A law firm in San Francisco, CA, is seeking a Life Sciences Patent Agent to join their team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications in the field of life sciences, with a focus on molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. The role also involves conducting prior art searches, patentability analysis, and engaging in practice development activities.

Job Details:

Duties:

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Conduct prior art searches and analyze relevant technical documents.
• Perform patentability analysis and IP due diligence.
• Engage in practice development activities to build and maintain client relationships.
• Prepare substantive client correspondence.
• Instruct local counsel for foreign filings and Office Actions.
• Assist in patent clearance studies and other patent-related opinion projects.
• Convert prior provisional applications into utility applications.
• Convert foreign-filed applications into U.S. applications.
• Convert U.S. applications into foreign applications.

Requirements:

• Hold an advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a biological field, including Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or Biomedical Engineering, with excellent academic credentials.
• Possess a minimum of 1 year of experience as a practicing patent agent in the field of life sciences.
• Be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Education:

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a biological field.

Certifications:

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

Skills:

• Proficiency in patent preparation, filing, and prosecution.
• In-depth knowledge and expertise in life sciences, particularly in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
• Ability to perform prior art searches and analyze scientific and technical documents.
• Strong communication skills for client correspondence.
• Experience in converting patent applications between provisional, foreign, and U.S. applications.
• Practice development and client relationship-building skills.

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.