Associate / Attorney - Intellectual Property

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 215,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid time off and firm holidays

Parental and family-care benefits

Job summary

Watts & Associates Recruitment is partnering with a premier Am Law 100 firm to recruit an Intellectual Property Associate for multiple offices (Washington, DC / Boston, MA / New York, NY / Princeton, NJ + more). The role focuses on sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for technology and life-sciences clients.

The successful candidate will work closely with partners, take ownership of matters, and gain exposure to high-value work with cross-practice collaboration.

Qualifications

• Strong drafting, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Technical background in electrical engineering, computer science or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications and manage domestic and international portfolios.
• Work with inventors and in-house teams to understand 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 IP-related transactions.
• Collaborate across practice areas and offices.

Skills

Drafting

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Job description

Intellectual Property Associate | Multiple Offices: Washington, DC / Boston, MA / New York, NY / Princeton, NJ + additional locations | Firm Policy | 4–6 Years' Experience | $215,000–$270,000 Base + Bonus | Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 global full-service law firm seeking a Intellectual Property Associate to join its Multiple Offices: Washington, DC / Boston, MA / New York, NY / Princeton, NJ + additional locations 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 global 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 4–6 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 technical background in electrical engineering, computer science, software or a related field is strongly preferred.
• USPTO registration is required or strongly preferred, depending on office and role requirements.
• ANDA, Hatch-Waxman or comparable life-sciences patent experience is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $215,000–$270,000, 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 Washington, DC / Boston, MA / New York, NY / Princeton, NJ / Pittsburgh, PA.

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.

Relevant search terms: Intellectual Property Associate, Patent Prosecution, Washington, DC / Boston, MA / New York, NY / Princeton, NJ + additional locations, Am Law 100, Attorney Jobs

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