Life Science Patent Prosecution Associate — Intellectual Property

An established national law firm is seeking an associate with 1–4 years of life sciences patent prosecution experience to join its Intellectual Property Department, working alongside a nationally respected and growing life sciences patent team. The role supports sophisticated clients protecting and leveraging innovations at the frontier of pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and ag-biotech technologies.

The position offers significant responsibility early on, including direct client and inventor contact, with responsibility growing in step with your judgment and client relationships. You will collaborate closely with in-house counsel, R&D scientists, and colleagues across IP, corporate, and litigation practices.

Day-to-day work spans U.S. and international patent preparation and prosecution — including small molecule pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, ag-bio treatments, formulations, synthetic processes, and related technologies — alongside PCT and foreign filings coordinated with foreign associates, inventor and examiner engagement, and portfolio strategy development.

You will also conduct and support patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity and invalidity, and non-infringement analyses, and assist with transactional and diligence matters for financings, licensing, and M&A.

• 1–4 years of patent preparation and prosecution experience, with substantial work in chemical, pharmaceutical, or other life sciences technologies
• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
• Registration to practice before the USPTO
• Advanced degree in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related field (Ph.D. strongly preferred; M.S. with substantial relevant experience considered)
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex chemistry clearly
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines while producing high-quality work
• Preferred: experience with patentability, FTO, clearance, non-infringement, or invalidity analyses or opinions; patent due diligence or portfolio management; pharmaceutical life cycle management and Hatch-Waxman/Orange Book familiarity; foreign prosecution including EPO practice