Life Sciences Patent Agent

Job Overview: A law firm in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Life Sciences Patent Agent to join their team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in life sciences, particularly in fields like molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. This role involves preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, as well as conducting prior art searches and IP due diligence. The Life Sciences Patent Agent will also play a key role in building and maintaining client relationships and providing valuable expertise in the patent field.

Duties:

• Prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Conduct prior art searches and analyses to assess patentability.
• Perform patentability analysis and IP due diligence.
• Engage in practice development activities to establish and maintain client relationships.
• 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 expertise in fields like molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
• Study and analyze scientific or technical documents, including previously published patent documents, to assess patentability, novelty, and inventiveness.
• Convert prior provisional applications into utility applications.
• Convert foreign filed applications into U.S. applications and vice versa.

Requirements:

• An advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a biological field, such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or Biomedical Engineering, with excellent academic credentials.
• A 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 (Masters 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, especially in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
• Proficiency in preparing and prosecuting patent applications.
• Prior art search and analysis skills.
• Ability to engage in practice development and client relationship building.
• Excellent communication and correspondence preparation skills.
• Knowledge of converting and managing various types of patent applications.
• Legal registration and compliance with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office requirements.

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.