Chicago - Intellectual Property - Life Sciences - Midlevel Associate

plug-legal; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) eligibility with profit sharing

Exceptional paid time off

Professional development support

Job summary

plug-legal in Chicago seeks a Patent Prosecution Associate to work on life sciences and biotechnology innovations. You will guide clients through intellectual property protection and manage patent portfolios, collaborating with startups and pharmaceutical giants.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. or equivalent, has patent prosecution experience, and knows how to communicate scientifically with stakeholders. This role offers a competitive salary range of $225,000 to $435,000 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 1–5 years of patent prosecution experience in life sciences.
• Advanced degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related fields.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients in the biotechnology sector.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through the lifecycle of intellectual property protection.
• Manage high-value patent portfolios and draft complex applications.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO) and patentability analyses.

Skills

Patent prosecution experience

Scientific communication

Client management

Education

Ph.D. in life sciences

USPTO registration or eligibility

Job description

Patent Prosecution Associate – Life Sciences / Biotechnology – Chicago

Practice Area

Intellectual Property / Patent Prosecution

Experience

1–5 years

Requirements

• Advanced degree in life sciences (Ph.D. preferred)
• USPTO registration or eligibility to sit for the patent bar within 12 months

The Work

You will guide life sciences and biotech innovators through the entire lifecycle of intellectual property protection. This is a highly strategic, client-facing role where you will be directly involved in building and managing high-value patent portfolios, drafting complex applications for breakthrough therapies, and conducting critical freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) and patentability analyses. Your clients will span from venture‑backed Midwest startups to multinational pharmaceutical giants, ensuring your portfolio exposure remains broad and sophisticated.

Who This Is For

• Intelligent, scientifically driven attorney with one to five years of patent prosecution experience within a dedicated biotechnology practice.
• Deep technical foundation—ideally a Ph.D. in a life sciences discipline (molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related fields).
• Ability to easily speak the language of founders and chief scientific officers.
• Either hold a USPTO registration number or have the foundational credentials to sit for and pass the patent bar exam within your first year in the role.

The Platform

The firm offers an elite global footprint with a deeply collaborative, partner‑led mentorship structure in Chicago. You will work alongside recognized leaders in the life sciences space who invest in your professional development, ensuring you gain the strategic advisory skills necessary to transition from an associate who executes work to a trusted advisor. The firm is highly meritocratic, offering a clear, predictable trajectory for associates looking to build a long‑term career.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range is $225,000 to $435,000, determined by your class year, technical expertise, and depth of experience. The benefits package includes market‑leading medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) eligibility with profit sharing; exceptional paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave); and robust professional development and bar association support.