I.P. - Technology Transactions (Life Sciences) Associate

Fenwick & West; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Life Insurance

Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Fenwick & West seeks associates with 2–4 years of licensing and collaboration experience to support our life sciences technology transactions practice in Santa Monica. The role involves negotiating complex commercial agreements for biotechs and big pharma, including AI-enabled drug discovery and diagnostics collaborations.

The ideal candidate will have strong credentials, excellent communication skills, and be barred in the state of California or eligible to sit the bar.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of licensing/collaboration and commercial partnering transactions experience.
• Experience representing biotechs and big pharmas in patent licensing and collaborations.
• Experience with AI-enabled biotechnology companies is a plus.
• Superior academic credentials and excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and close complex standalone commercial transactions.
• Work closely with founders developing cutting-edge technologies.
• Advise on licensing strategies and collaboration structures across life sciences and tech.

Skills

Licensing transactions

Commercial partnering

Biotech licensing

AI in biotech

Job description

Job Description Summary

Fenwick & West handles complex, innovative technology transactions for some of the most prominent life sciences and technology companies in the United States and abroad. Our technology transactions group also works closely with our corporate group, which is consistently ranked as one of the top Startup & Venture Capital, IPO and M&A practices in the United States, as well as our leading life sciences patent prosecution practice.

Job Description

We are currently seeking associates with two (2) to four (4) years of licensing / collaboration and commercial partnering transactions experience for our growing life sciences technology transactions practice. The ideal candidate will have substantial law firm experience representing biotechs and big pharmas as they license patents and collaborate to advance novel therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostic and digital health technologies through clinical trials and toward regulatory (FDA) approval.

Experience working with AI-native or AI-driven biotechnology companies - particularly those integrating artificial intelligence or machine learning into drug discovery, diagnostics, or life sciences R&D is a plus.

This is an ideal position for candidates seeking to work closely with founders developing cutting edge technologies and negotiate complex standalone commercial transactions that transform both the technologies and participants. The position also suits those desiring both life sciences and broader tech exposure. Superior academic credentials, excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills required.

We require that the candidate must be barred in the state of the office they are submitting their application for or are eligible to sit/waive into the next bar exam.

Benefits And Compensation Details

At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing. Except as otherwise required by law, temporary employees are generally not entitled to these benefits.

The Anticipated Range For This Position Is

$235,000 - $310,000

Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitaiton, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.