Attorney Adviser

USPTO; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Virginia, is seeking a licensed attorney to join the Office of Petitions. The role focuses on investigating misconduct in patent processes, reviewing records, identifying schemes, and drafting decisions under statutory authority. On-site presence is required with possible situational telework. Qualified applicants will have a J.D.

or LL.M. and active bar admission, plus three years post-J.D. professional legal experience.

Qualifications

• Specialized legal experience in patent-related matters and misconduct investigations.
• Experience applying regulations and guidance to determine appropriate actions.
• Ability to draft final decisions based on case records.

Responsibilities

• Investigate suspected fraud, misrepresentation, and misconduct involving patent applications.
• Review patent files and evidence to identify improper activity.
• Identify patterns and emerging schemes in patent processes.
• Recommend sanctions or actions based on evidence and law.
• Draft proposed final decisions after reviewing the record.

Skills

Legal analysis

Fraud investigations

Regulatory compliance

Drafting decisions

Case management

Education

J.D. degree or LL.M.

Bar admission in good standing

Job description

Imagine your career working alongside leaders in patent policy and examination. The Office of Petitions supports the USPTO's Patents Business Unit by evaluating petitions, addressing matters arising from examiner actions, and preparing decisions involving the Director's statutory and supervisory authority. Join our collaborative and skilled team to help shape petitions practice, promote patent quality, and advance the USPTO's mission to protect and promote American innovation

Telework

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per leave year.

Duties

The individual selected for this position will…

• Investigate suspected fraud, misrepresentation, false statements, unauthorized representation, and other misconduct involving
• patent applications and related matters.
• Review patent applications, filings, signatures, certifications, correspondence, and other evidence to identify improper or suspicious activity.
• Identify patterns, relationships, and emerging schemes involving applicants, practitioners, entities, or other participants in the patent process.
• Recommend sanctions, corrective actions, or other case outcomes based on the evidence, seriousness of the conduct, and applicable law.
• Prepare draft decisions by reviewing the record, resolving disputed facts and legal issues, and developing supported findings and conclusions.

Qualifications

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for attorney positions. However, the USPTO sets minimum qualifications for attorney positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at General Attorney Series 0905.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-13.

Qualified applicants should possess both specialized experience and professional law/legal experience as listed below:

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Analyzing patent application files, legal matters, or case files to determine whether fraud, misrepresentation, or other potential misconduct occurred.; AND
• Investigating suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or other potential misconduct in the patent processes to identify patterns of suspicious activity; AND
• Applying regulations, legal decisions, and guidance to identify and recommend appropriate legal or administrative actions in response to attempts to circumvent patent process safeguards.; AND
• Drafting proposed final decisions for officials by reviewing the case file to recommend outcomes.

In addition to the specialized experience listed above, you must have: Three (3) years post J.D. of the professional legal/law experience listed below.

Education

You must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or Master of Laws (L.L.M) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.

If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Conditions of Employment

Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job‑related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.

The full list of conditions and qualifications can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors.