Associate / Attorney - IP Litigation

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 270,000 - 385,000; Full time

Job summary

Watts & Associates is partnering with a highly regarded Am Law 100 full-service international law firm in Washington, DC, seeking a 3rd- to 5th-year IP Litigation Associate to join its DC office. The successful candidate will handle patent and broader IP disputes for major corporate clients, with exposure to federal courts, ITC, and PTAB proceedings.

You will collaborate with trial lawyers, develop technical and advocacy skills, and have a structured development path with mentoring and client

Qualifications

• Three to five years of substantive intellectual property litigation experience.
• Experience in a sophisticated law firm or similar litigation environment.
• Strong patent litigation and IP dispute capabilities.
• Excellent research, analytical and legal writing skills.
• Experience drafting substantive motions and complex briefs.
• Strong discovery and case-management fundamentals.
• Ability to understand and communicate technically complex subject matter.
• DC Bar admission or eligibility required.
• Top academic credentials preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support substantive components of patent and broader IP litigation matters.
• Conduct detailed legal and technical research.
• Draft pleadings, motions and dispositive briefs.
• Develop infringement, validity and damages arguments.
• Manage written discovery and document production.
• Support fact and expert depositions.
• Prepare for hearings, claim construction proceedings and trial.
• Coordinate with technical experts, clients and internal teams.
• Support related ITC, Federal Circuit or PTAB proceedings where applicable.

Skills

IP litigation experience

Patent litigation

Legal writing

Research skills

Motions & briefs

Discovery & case management

Technical degree (EE or CS)

DC Bar admission

Education

Technical degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

DC Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 full-service international law firm seeking a 3rd- to 5th-year IP Litigation Associate to join its Washington, D.C. office.

This opportunity combines a nationally recognised intellectual property platform with direct exposure to sophisticated patent and technology disputes for major corporate clients.

The successful attorney will join a substantial IP litigation team with experience handling patent disputes in federal district courts, before the Federal Circuit, at the International Trade Commission and in related Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings.

Associates are given the opportunity to undertake substantive litigation work, collaborate closely with experienced trial lawyers and develop the technical, advocacy and client-management skills required for a credible long-term career in intellectual property litigation.

Why This Platform Stands Out

Respected Am Law 100 Platform

Join a full-service international firm with practices recognised by Chambers, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and other leading legal directories.

The firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex patent infringement and broader intellectual property disputes involving sophisticated technologies and commercially significant intellectual property assets.

Broad Litigation Exposure

Matters may involve federal district court litigation, appeals before the Federal Circuit, Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission and coordinated post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Sophisticated Clients and Significant Disputes

The team advises major corporate, technology and innovation-driven clients on disputes that can directly affect their products, market position and most valuable intellectual property.

Structured Professional Development

Associates benefit from formal legal training, practice-specific development benchmarks, mentoring, personalised coaching and hands-on opportunities to strengthen written and oral advocacy skills.

Career development is not treated as a one-size-fits-all exercise. Associates receive support in planning their progression, developing leadership capabilities, strengthening client relationships and preparing for future advancement.

The firm is known for a team-oriented environment in which lawyers work closely across seniority levels and offices, with meaningful access to partners and experienced litigators.

Business Development Support

Attorneys receive training and practical assistance in building professional visibility, developing client relationships and creating an individual business development strategy.

The firm maintains a substantial commitment to pro bono work, providing attorneys with additional opportunities to develop litigation, advocacy and leadership experience while contributing to important community matters.

The Role

The successful attorney will lead and support substantive components of patent and broader IP litigation matters, including:

• Conducting detailed legal and technical research
• Drafting pleadings, motions and dispositive briefs
• Developing infringement, validity and damages arguments
• Managing written discovery and document production
• Supporting fact and expert depositions
• Assisting with witness and expert preparation
• Preparing for hearings, claim construction proceedings and trial
• Contributing to settlement and case strategy discussions
• Coordinating with technical experts, clients and internal litigation teams
• Supporting related International Trade Commission, Federal Circuit or Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings where applicable

The role offers direct collaboration with partners and senior litigators, together with increasing responsibility and visibility as the associate develops within the practice.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a 3rd- to 5th-year associate with:

• Three to five years of substantive intellectual property litigation experience
• Experience gained within a sophisticated law firm, government or comparable litigation environment
• Strong patent litigation and broader intellectual property dispute capabilities
• Excellent research, analytical and legal writing skills
• Experience drafting substantive motions and complex briefs
• Strong discovery and case-management fundamentals
• The ability to understand and communicate technically complex subject matter
• A technical degree or background, particularly in electrical engineering or computer science, although this is preferred rather than essential
• Admission to the District of Columbia Bar or the ability to obtain admission promptly
• Excellent academic credentials, generally within the top half of the class, with the top third preferred
• The ability and willingness to work in the Washington, D.C. office five days per week
• A collaborative approach and genuine interest in developing a long-term IP litigation career

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for an IP litigator who wants more than a recognisable firm name.

The successful candidate will gain:

• Experience across sophisticated patent and technology disputes
• Exposure to nationally significant litigation and specialised intellectual property forums
• Opportunities to take ownership of substantive workstreams
• Direct access to experienced patent trial lawyers
• Meaningful interaction with major corporate and technology clients
• Structured legal, leadership and business development training
• Individualised mentoring and career-planning support
• A credible platform from which to build a recognised IP litigation practice
• Long-term advancement potential within an established international firm

Compensation and Benefits

Base Salary: $270,000–$385,000, depending on class year, experience, qualifications and other relevant factors

• Performance-based bonus structure aligned with comparable Am Law 100 firms
• Comprehensive health, insurance and wellbeing benefits, with full details provided during the interview process
• Competitive paid time off and firm holiday allowance
• Ongoing CLE, legal training, leadership development and professional coaching

All applications and discussions will be handled in strict confidence.

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