Patent Associate – Life Sciences Multiple U.S. Offices Firm Policy 1–4 Years' Experience $225,000–$310,000 Base + Bonus Am Law 100
Watts & Associates Recruitment · DC
FULL-TIME
Posted Sep 7, 2026
Job Description
Patent Associate – Life Sciences Multiple U.S. Offices Firm Policy 1–4 Years' Experience $225,000–$310,000 Base + Bonus Am Law 100
Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full-service law firm seeking a Patent Associate – Life Sciences to join its Multiple U.S. Offices platform.
This opportunity offers sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for innovative technology and life-sciences companies within a nationally recognised patent prosecution practice.
The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior attorneys, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.
Company Highlights
- Am Law 100 national full-service platform with sophisticated domestic and cross-border capabilities.
- Recognised practice strength across patent prosecution and related corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines.
- Established team advising innovative technology and life-sciences companies on complex, high-value matters.
- Collaborative and partner-led environment offering meaningful associate responsibility.
- Structured mentoring, practical training and individual career-development support.
- Strong commitment to professional development, wellbeing, inclusion, innovation and pro bono work.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This is an opportunity to join a well-established patent prosecution practice offering:
- Sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for innovative technology and life-sciences companies.
- Meaningful ownership of substantive workstreams and increasing responsibility based on experience.
- Direct access to partners, senior attorneys and clients.
- Opportunities to deepen technical, commercial and strategic experience within a recognised patent prosecution practice.
- A credible platform for long-term progression and advancement.
The Role
The successful attorney will support and lead key components of patent prosecution matters, including:
- Draft and prosecute patent applications and manage domestic and international patent portfolios.
- Work directly with inventors and in-house legal teams to understand complex technology and develop protection strategies.
- Prepare responses, conduct prior-art analysis and advise on freedom-to-operate and portfolio development.
- Coordinate with foreign counsel and support due diligence, licensing and other IP-related transactions.
- Coordinate with attorneys and professionals across related practice areas and offices.
The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior attorneys and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The firm is seeking an attorney with:
- Approximately 1–4 years of substantive patent prosecution experience.
- Experience handling patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for sophisticated clients.
- Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet demanding deadlines and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
- Strong academic credentials and experience in a sophisticated law-firm environment.
- A life-sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or related technical background is strongly preferred.
- USPTO registration is required or strongly preferred, depending on office and role requirements.
- Admission in Uspto, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly, is required.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated base salary range is $225,000–$310,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.
The firm also offers bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Retirement and 401(k) benefits.
- Paid time off and firm holidays.
- Parental and family-care benefits.
- Professional-development and continuing legal education support.
- Wellbeing resources and pro bono opportunities.
Location and Working Arrangement
The position is available in Palo Alto, CA / San Diego, CA / San Francisco, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Boston, MA / Boulder, CO / New York, NY / Washington, DC / Salt Lake City, UT.
Working arrangements are governed by the firm's current office policy and may vary by office, team, client and business requirements.
Candidates must be admitted in the relevant jurisdiction or be eligible to obtain admission within the required timeframe.
Apply in Confidence
All discussions will be handled in strict confidence.
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Watts & Associates directly or submit your application for confidential consideration.
Kindly apply with your resume. Should your experience align with the opportunity, we will reach out by telephone, email or LinkedIn to schedule a discreet call. Recruiter submissions are accepted subject to the hiring firm's applicable search-firm agreement and submission procedures.
Relevant search terms: Patent Associate – Life Sciences, Patent Prosecution, Multiple U.S. Offices, Am Law 100, Attorney Jobs
#LawJobs #AttorneyJobs #AmLawCareers #LegalRecruiting #PatentLaw #IPLaw
Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full-service law firm seeking a Patent Associate – Life Sciences to join its Multiple U.S. Offices platform.
This opportunity offers sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for innovative technology and life-sciences companies within a nationally recognised patent prosecution practice.
The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior attorneys, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.
Company Highlights
- Am Law 100 national full-service platform with sophisticated domestic and cross-border capabilities.
- Recognised practice strength across patent prosecution and related corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines.
- Established team advising innovative technology and life-sciences companies on complex, high-value matters.
- Collaborative and partner-led environment offering meaningful associate responsibility.
- Structured mentoring, practical training and individual career-development support.
- Strong commitment to professional development, wellbeing, inclusion, innovation and pro bono work.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This is an opportunity to join a well-established patent prosecution practice offering:
- Sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for innovative technology and life-sciences companies.
- Meaningful ownership of substantive workstreams and increasing responsibility based on experience.
- Direct access to partners, senior attorneys and clients.
- Opportunities to deepen technical, commercial and strategic experience within a recognised patent prosecution practice.
- A credible platform for long-term progression and advancement.
The Role
The successful attorney will support and lead key components of patent prosecution matters, including:
- Draft and prosecute patent applications and manage domestic and international patent portfolios.
- Work directly with inventors and in-house legal teams to understand complex technology and develop protection strategies.
- Prepare responses, conduct prior-art analysis and advise on freedom-to-operate and portfolio development.
- Coordinate with foreign counsel and support due diligence, licensing and other IP-related transactions.
- Coordinate with attorneys and professionals across related practice areas and offices.
The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior attorneys and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The firm is seeking an attorney with:
- Approximately 1–4 years of substantive patent prosecution experience.
- Experience handling patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for sophisticated clients.
- Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet demanding deadlines and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
- Strong academic credentials and experience in a sophisticated law-firm environment.
- A life-sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or related technical background is strongly preferred.
- USPTO registration is required or strongly preferred, depending on office and role requirements.
- Admission in Uspto, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly, is required.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated base salary range is $225,000–$310,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.
The firm also offers bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Retirement and 401(k) benefits.
- Paid time off and firm holidays.
- Parental and family-care benefits.
- Professional-development and continuing legal education support.
- Wellbeing resources and pro bono opportunities.
Location and Working Arrangement
The position is available in Palo Alto, CA / San Diego, CA / San Francisco, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Boston, MA / Boulder, CO / New York, NY / Washington, DC / Salt Lake City, UT.
Working arrangements are governed by the firm's current office policy and may vary by office, team, client and business requirements.
Candidates must be admitted in the relevant jurisdiction or be eligible to obtain admission within the required timeframe.
Apply in Confidence
All discussions will be handled in strict confidence.
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Watts & Associates directly or submit your application for confidential consideration.
Kindly apply with your resume. Should your experience align with the opportunity, we will reach out by telephone, email or LinkedIn to schedule a discreet call. Recruiter submissions are accepted subject to the hiring firm's applicable search-firm agreement and submission procedures.
Relevant search terms: Patent Associate – Life Sciences, Patent Prosecution, Multiple U.S. Offices, Am Law 100, Attorney Jobs
#LawJobs #AttorneyJobs #AmLawCareers #LegalRecruiting #PatentLaw #IPLaw
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
Additional Details
- City
- DC
- Country
- US
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