Electrical EngineeringComputer Science Associate

Vanguard-IP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking firm that specializes in intellectual property law. This role is perfect for those with a strong academic background in engineering or science who are passionate about patent law. You'll be involved in preparing and prosecuting patent applications, advocating for clients, and providing technical support in patent litigation. The position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior practitioners while assuming significant client responsibilities. If you are driven, detail-oriented, and eager to make an impact in the legal field, this is the ideal opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Graduated in the top third of law school with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois or qualified for the Illinois bar exam.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and prosecuting patent applications and providing technical support.
• Advocating for clients before the U.S. Patent Trademark Office.

Skills

Software patent preparation

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Legal research

Education

Undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering

Undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science

Undergraduate degree in Physics

Advanced degrees

Job description

REQUIREMENTS

1. Strong academic credentials, including having graduated in the top third of his/her law school class, and having obtained at a minimum an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Physics from a top 50 engineering school. Candidates should have obtained a 3.0 GPA at all levels of education.
2. Advanced degrees are a significant plus.
3. Software patent preparation and prosecution experience.
4. Licensed to practice law in Illinois (or licensed to practice law in another state and qualified to sit for the Illinois bar exam), and admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
5. Excellent communication skills--both written and verbal--and exceptional organizational skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Preparing and prosecuting patent applications, investigating and preparing non-infringement and invalidity opinions, occasionally participating in patent litigation to provide technical support, and performing related client counseling tasks.
2. Associates will be advocating for their clients before the U.S. Patent Trademark Office to seek issuance of a patent. This includes writing and amending claims for the patent application, as well as analyzing patents and other publications relating to high technology inventions.
3. This position demands that the individual will, under the supervision of senior practitioners, assume significant client responsibilities, provide high-quality services to domestic and foreign clients, communicate with all levels of management and staff and, at times, will require a significant degree of autonomy.