Electronics Patent Prosecution & PTAB Associate

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 200,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterne Kessler, Goldstein & Fox in Washington, DC, seeks a second- to fifth-year lateral Associate for our Electronics Group. You will draft and prosecute utility patent applications in electrical/computer engineering, analyze USPTO actions, and contribute to PTAB matters as needed.

The role blends hybrid in-person and remote work with a collegial, mentoring culture. The ideal candidate has 2–5 years in patent preparation and prosecution, a JD, EB engineering background, and USPTO registration.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• USPTO registration.
• 2–5 years of patent preparation and prosecution experience in electrical/computer engineering.
• Strong legal research, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage assignments and deadlines with timely, responsive service.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute utility patent applications, including specifications, claims, and figures.
• Analyze USPTO Office Actions and prepare persuasive responses and amendments addressing novelty and non‑obviousness rejections.
• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, regulations, case law, and USPTO rules to develop legal strategies and arguments.
• Interview inventors and engineers to understand inventions, technical disclosures, and relevant prior art.
• Manage domestic and international patent portfolios and monitor prosecution deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and responsively with internal teams and, as experience develops, external clients under Director supervision.
• Depending on experience, support PTAB litigation proceedings.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

USPTO registration

Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Job description

Sterne Kessler, Goldstein & Fox in Washington, DC, seeks a second- to fifth-year lateral Associate for our Electronics Group. You will draft and prosecute utility patent applications in electrical/computer engineering, analyze USPTO actions, and contribute to PTAB matters as needed.

The role blends hybrid in-person and remote work with a collegial, mentoring culture. The ideal candidate has 2–5 years in patent preparation and prosecution, a JD, EB engineering background, and USPTO registration.