2027 Fall Associate – IP Litigation

Cooley LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Health Savings Account

Dental

Vision

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Life insurance

AD&D

Long-term care

Parental leave

Fertility benefits

Job summary

Cooley LLP’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice group is recruiting 3L law students (JD 2027) to join the entry level class in our Palo Alto, San Diego, and Washington, DC offices.

We seek candidates with a background in science or engineering, strong academic achievement, and exceptional written and verbal communication. The role involves IP litigation across patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters with opportunities to contribute from day one.

Qualifications

• JD student (3L) with anticipated graduation in 2027
• Background in science or engineering
• Strong academic achievement and professional excellence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Participate in IP litigation matters across patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, memos, and briefs
• Collaborate with trial teams and contribute from day one
• Demonstrate initiative, teamwork, and a service‑oriented mindset

Skills

Engineering background

Legal research

Legal writing

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Initiative mindset

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or pursuing JD (3L)

Job description

Cooley LLP’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice group is recruiting 3L law students (JD 2027) to join the entry level class in our Palo Alto, San Diego, and Washington, DC offices. We are recruiting 2027 JD graduates for this position.

Our IP litigation team includes trial-ready lawyers with experience in patent infringement, trademark disputes, copyright law and trade secret litigation. We bring judgement sharpened by wins across key forums, including US federal circuit, appellate and district courts, the PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board), the TTAB (Trademark Trial and Appeal Board), and Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

We are looking for someone with an understanding of and keen interest in patent law. Qualified candidates will have exceptional academic achievement and professional excellence. Ideal candidates possess excellent written and verbal communication abilities; strong legal research and writing skills; and sound judgment with proven problem-solving skills. They show initiative, motivation, and a service-oriented mindset; have meaningful prior work experience; engage in extracurricular or leadership activities; work effectively in team settings; and bring an entrepreneurial, business-minded perspective.

Candidates should have a background or education in science or engineering.

The expected salary for this position is $225,000.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits.

• In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as accruing vacation time at the rate of four weeks per year and sick time at the rate of two weeks per year and 10 paid holidays each year.
• We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits.
• New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.

EOE