Associate / Attorney - Patent Prosecution

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 310,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Wellbeing programmes

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates is partnering with a leading Am Law 20 global firm to recruit a Patent Prosecution Associate in San Francisco, CA. The role focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio strategy for high-value technology clients, with close work alongside partners and senior lawyers.

The successful candidate will own drafting and prosecution workstreams, coordinate with inventors and in-house teams, and gain exposure to international portfolio matters.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3+ years of patent prosecution or related patent practice experience.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
• Technical background aligned with relevant inventions and client work.
• Strong technical writing, analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and prosecution deadlines.
• Excellent communication and client-service abilities.
• Strong academic credentials (T14 Law School preferred).
• Admission to the California Bar.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute US patent applications.
• Develop domestic and international patent-portfolio strategies.
• Interview inventors and analyse complex technologies.
• Prepare responses to office actions and examiner communications.
• Conduct prior-art and patentability analysis.
• Coordinate foreign prosecution and international counsel.
• Support freedom-to-operate, diligence and strategic counselling.
• Manage portfolio deadlines and client reporting.

Skills

Patent prosecution experience

Patent drafting

Analytical writing

Client service

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission

Job description

Patent Prosecution Associate | San Francisco, CA | Firm Policy | 3 Years' + Experience | $310,000–$435,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 20

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 20 global full-service law firm seeking a Patent Prosecution Associate to join its San Francisco, CA office.

This opportunity offers patent preparation, prosecution and portfolio counselling involving advanced technologies for innovative technology companies, research organisations and sophisticated corporate clients within a nationally recognised patent prosecution and portfolio strategy practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high-value work, important clients and cross-practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 20 global platform with one of the legal market's broadest international office networks
• Integrated cross-border teams advising multinational clients on complex commercial and regulatory matters
• Recognised strength in patent prosecution and portfolio strategy and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
• Established teams advising innovative technology companies, research organisations and sophisticated corporate clients on complex, high-value matters
• Collaborative culture encouraging international teamwork and knowledge sharing
• Global and regional learning programmes supporting development at every career stage
• Opportunities for client and international-office secondments
• Strong investment in innovation, inclusion and flexible career development
• Comprehensive benefits, wellbeing resources and substantive pro bono opportunities

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a well-established patent prosecution and portfolio strategy practice offering:

• Sophisticated patent preparation, prosecution and portfolio strategy
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and commercially important inventions
• Meaningful ownership of drafting and prosecution workstreams
• Direct access to inventors, partners and in-house legal teams
• Domestic and international portfolio experience
• Strong technical, legal and commercial development
• A credible route to long-term advancement in a specialised practice

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of patent prosecution and portfolio strategy matters, including:

• Draft and prosecute US patent applications
• Develop domestic and international patent-portfolio strategies
• Interview inventors and analyse complex technologies
• Prepare responses to office actions and examiner communications
• Conduct prior-art and patentability analysis
• Coordinate foreign prosecution and international counsel
• Support freedom-to-operate, diligence and strategic counselling
• Manage portfolio deadlines and client reporting
• Work directly with inventors and in-house legal teams

The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior lawyers and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a patent prosecution associate with:

• Approximately 3+ years of patent prosecution or related patent practice experience
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications
• Technical background aligned with the relevant inventions and client work
• Strong technical writing, analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and prosecution deadlines
• Excellent communication and client-service abilities
• Strong academic credentials (T14 Law School preferred) and sophisticated practice experience
• Admission to the California Bar

A degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, mechanical engineering or a related technical field is strongly preferred; USPTO registration may be required.

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, comprehensive health and insurance benefits, retirement support, paid time off, professional-development resources, wellbeing programmes and pro bono opportunities.

Relevant search terms: Patent Prosecution Associate, Patent Prosecution And Portfolio Strategy, San Francisco, CA, Am Law 20, Attorney Jobs, PatentLaw, PatentProsecution, TechnologyLaw, Law Firm Associate, Legal Recruiting

#LawJobs #AttorneyJobs #AmLawCareers #LegalRecruiting #PatentLaw #PatentProsecution #TechnologyLaw #SanFranciscoJobs