Associate / Attorney - Intellectual Property

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Retirement and 401(k) benefits

Paid time off and firm holidays

Parental and family-care benefits

Professional-development and CLE

Wellbeing resources and pro bono

Job summary

Watts & Associates, a premier Am Law 100 national firm, seeks an Intellectual Property Patent Litigation Life Sciences Associate to join its multi-office platform. You will handle sophisticated patent, technology, and trade-secret disputes for major clients, working closely with partners and senior attorneys.

Ideal candidates bring 2–7 years of substantive IP litigation experience, strong drafting and analytical skills, and a life-sciences or related technical background.

Qualifications

• Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support complex patent, trade-secret and technology disputes in federal courts and specialist forums.
• Draft substantive motions, briefs, discovery materials and expert-related submissions.
• Manage fact and expert discovery, depositions, technical records and key case workstreams.
• Contribute to trial, hearing and appellate strategy and work closely with clients, experts and experienced litigators.
• Coordinate with attorneys and professionals across related practice areas and offices.

Skills

Drafting

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Intellectual Property Patent Litigation Life Sciences Associate | Multiple U.S. Offices | Firm Policy | 2–7 Years' Experience | $235,000–$435,000 Base + Bonus | Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full-service law firm seeking a Intellectual Property Patent Litigation Life Sciences Associate to join its Multiple U.S. Offices platform.

This opportunity offers sophisticated high-value patent, technology and trade-secret disputes for major technology, life-sciences and corporate clients within a nationally recognised ip and patent litigation 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 ip and patent litigation and related corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines.
• Established team advising major technology, life-sciences and corporate clients 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 ip and patent litigation practice offering:

• Sophisticated high-value patent, technology and trade-secret disputes for major technology, life-sciences and corporate clients.
• 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 ip and patent litigation practice.
• A credible platform for long-term progression and advancement.

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of ip and patent litigation matters, including:

• Support complex patent, trade-secret and technology disputes in federal courts and specialist forums.
• Draft substantive motions, briefs, discovery materials and expert-related submissions.
• Manage fact and expert discovery, depositions, technical records and key case workstreams.
• Contribute to trial, hearing and appellate strategy and work closely with clients, experts and experienced litigators.
• 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 2–7 years of substantive ip and patent litigation experience.
• Experience handling high-value patent, technology and trade-secret disputes 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.
• Admission in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, California, Florida, Oregon, West Virginia, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly, is required.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $235,000–$435,000, 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 New York, NY / Austin, TX / Houston, TX / Boston, MA / Chicago, IL / Washington, DC / Irvine, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Menlo Park, CA / Sacramento, CA / San Francisco, CA / Santa Monica, CA / Miami, FL / Portland, OR / Seattle, WA / Wheeling, WV.

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.