Associate / Attorney - Patent Prosecution

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 310,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Professional development

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Watts & Associates, a discreetly partnering Am Law 100 global law firm, seeks a Patent Associate in Chicago with 3+ years of prosecution experience. You will handle US and cross-border filings, work closely with partners, inventors, and in-house teams, and own significant matters in a sophisticated IP portfolio.

You will engage in drafting, office actions, and strategic portfolio planning within a leading international platform. Chicago-based role with strong career progression.

Qualifications

• At least three years of patent preparation and prosecution experience.
• Experience drafting applications and responding to USPTO office actions.
• Strong technical analysis and legal writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute US and international patent applications.
• Prepare office-action responses and manage USPTO deadlines.
• Conduct prior-art, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Develop filing and portfolio strategies with inventors and clients.
• Advise on patent protection, portfolio growth and commercialization.
• Coordinate foreign counsel and cross-border prosecution matters.
• Support licensing, due diligence and research collaborations.
• Advising on portfolio optimisation and competitive risk.
• Collaborate with disputes and transactional IP teams.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Legal writing

Client management

Technical analysis

Education

J.D. from a top law school

Tools

USPTO

Job description

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 global law firm seeking a Patent Associate with at least three years of experience for its Chicago office.

This opportunity offers sophisticated patent prosecution and portfolio strategy for innovative technology and life-sciences companies. The successful attorney will work directly with partners, inventors and in-house teams while taking ownership of important domestic and cross-border matters.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 global platform with several thousand lawyers across many offices
• Chambers Global Band Intellectual Property practice for over 15 consecutive years
• Recommended globally for international patent work by IAM Patent 1000
• 300+ dedicated IP lawyers across many offices in several countries
• Patent prosecution, disputes, transactions and portfolio strategy
• Deep pharmaceutical, biological, chemical and technology expertise
• Integrated cross-border teams and meaningful client responsibility
• Global training, mentoring and international mobility programmes
• Inclusive culture focused on innovation, wellbeing and pro bono work

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Global patent prosecution and portfolio work for innovative businesses
• Domestic and international filings, counselling and IP transactions
• Ownership of drafting, office actions and portfolio management
• Direct access to partners, inventors and in-house legal teams
• Commercial exposure across life sciences and emerging technologies
• Formal mentoring, associate training and global mobility
• Long-term progression on a leading international platform

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead patent prosecution matters, including:

• Drafting and prosecuting US and international patent applications
• Preparing office-action responses and managing USPTO deadlines
• Conducting prior-art, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses
• Developing filing and portfolio strategies with inventors and clients
• Advising on patent protection, portfolio growth and commercialisation
• Coordinating foreign counsel and cross-border prosecution matters
• Supporting licensing, due diligence and research collaborations
• Advising on portfolio optimisation and competitive risk
• Collaborating with disputes and transactional IP teams

The role offers direct partner and client access, increasing responsibility and exposure to complex global patent portfolios.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a Patent Associate with:

• At least three years of patent preparation and prosecution experience
• Experience drafting applications and responding to USPTO office actions
• Strong technical analysis, legal writing and communication skills
• Ability to explain complex scientific concepts clearly and commerciallyStrong portfolio, deadline and client-workstream management
• Excellent academic credentials and a J.D. from an accredited law school - T14 preferred dependant on experience
• Experience within a sophisticated law-firm or in-house patent practice

USPTO registration is required. A life-sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or related technical background is strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $310,000-$435,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility, medical, dental, vision and 401(k) benefits, together with professional-development, wellbeing and other firm-sponsored programmes, subject to eligibility.

Relevant search terms: patent associate, patent prosecution attorney, patent portfolio counsel, intellectual property associate, Chicago patent attorney, Illinois Bar, USPTO registration, life sciences patent, chemistry patent attorney, biochemistry patent lawyer, patent drafting, office actions, freedom to operate, IP transactions, Am Law 100, global law firm, mid-level associate

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