Mid-Level Patent Associate

Patent Associate Attorney - Life Sciences

§ Practice Area : Global Intellectual Property Strategy / Biotechnology Patent Procurement and Counseling

§ Location : Houston, TX

§ Salary : $225,000 to $435,000 Base Salary (Plus comprehensive bonus, benefits structure, and eligibility for full range of medical, financial, and paid time off benefits)

§ Schedule : Full-time, Direct-Hire, Minimum 1,850 hours annual billed

The Firm

Our esteemed client is a globally renowned AmLaw 50 firm, consistently recognized for its profound legal expertise and international reach. The Intellectual Property practice is lauded with top-tier rankings, particularly in the Life Sciences and Technology sectors, advising innovator companies, research institutions, and investment funds on protecting and monetizing their most vital assets. This firm is celebrated for its deep bench of technically proficient attorneys, many holding advanced scientific degrees, who seamlessly integrate cutting-edge legal strategy with complex scientific understanding. The firm provides a collaborative and highly resourced platform, empowering associates to steer pivotal patent matters in the rapidly evolving biotechnology and pharmaceutical landscapes. This opportunity is ideal for a technically adept legal professional seeking to shape the future of biological innovation.

§ Duties :

The incoming Mid-Level Associate will serve as a central figure in the firm’s life sciences intellectual property portfolio management team, primarily concentrating on domestic and international patent procurement and strategic counseling. This role necessitates a robust understanding of molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or related biotechnology fields to effectively translate complex scientific discoveries into legally defensible intellectual property rights. The associate will work with inventor teams, in-house counsel, and firm partners on high-stakes patent matters.

Core responsibilities include:

⨖ Drafting and Prosecuting Patent Applications across diverse biotechnological areas, including biologics, gene therapy, diagnostics, and novel drug targets.

⨖ Conducting Freedom-to-Operate, Patentability, and Due Diligence analyses in connection with corporate transactions, venture capital financing, and strategic partnerships within the life sciences sector.

⨖ Crafting substantive Responses to Office Actions from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and managing foreign patent prosecution through a network of global associates.

⨖ Providing Strategic Counseling to clients on portfolio development, competitive landscaping, and the interplay between regulatory exclusivities and patent protection.

⨖ Collaborating with Litigation Teams to provide technical and patent-specific expertise for enforcement and defense actions, including pre-litigation assessments.

§ Qualifications :

Candidates must exhibit the requisite technical and legal foundation to contribute immediately to a sophisticated, science-driven practice.

⨖ Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.

⨖ Active Membership in good standing with a State Bar.

⨖ Registration to Practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required .

⨖ One (1) to Five (5) Years of dedicated experience in patent prosecution, specifically within a biotechnology or life sciences practice group.

⨖ An Advanced Scientific Degree (Ph.D.) in a life sciences field (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related disciplines) is required .

⨖ Demonstrated exceptional analytical, technical writing, and oral communication skills.

§ Skills :

The following qualifications are highly advantageous for success in this role:

⨖ A Ph.D. in a highly specialized area of biotechnology (e.g., immunology, virology, or bioinformatics).

⨖ Experience with inter-partes review (IPR) or other post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

⨖ Direct experience advising on matters related to the Bayh-Dole Act or technology transfer agreements.

⨖ A proven track record of supervising the work of patent agents or junior associates.

!Notice¡ * This a job advertisement on behalf of our client and does not reflect the full job description for the role. Any qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. You will need to provide law school transcripts, a writing sample or deal sheets, and a cover letter in order to be considered for this role. This posting does not constitute an offer of employment and the listed compensation details may vary by state or experience and will be discussed thoroughly during interview phase.