IP Associate Attorney - Life Sciences (Multi Office)

McBride Executive Search; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Not disclosed law firm’s Life Sciences Intellectual Property practice seeks an Associate Attorney to join its Boston, Denver, New York, Palo Alto, or Washington, DC team. The candidate will handle patent prosecution and litigation across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health, collaborating with scientists and IP litigators.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years of relevant experience, a top-tier JD, strong bar status, and USPTO admission.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in applicable jurisdiction in good standing
• 2-4 years of substantive experience in patent prosecution and patent litigation
• Undergraduate degree in Biology or related life sciences
• PhD strongly preferred
• Admission to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Experience with patents in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health
• Experience with patent portfolio development and management
• Familiarity with competitive landscape analyses, patentability assessments, and IP strategy
• Experience litigating patent matters in federal district courts and/or before the ITC
• Familiarity with inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB
• Understanding of post-grant proceedings impact on litigation
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to translate complex science into legal arguments
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams
• Large law firm or sophisticated IP practice experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in life sciences patent prosecution and litigation matters
• Draft and prosecute patent applications involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, digital health, and related technologies
• Assist with development and management of domestic and international patent portfolios
• Conduct patentability, freedom-to-operate, competitive landscape, and IP analyses
• Develop litigation strategies for complex patent disputes in federal courts and other forums
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, and other litigation documents
• Assist with fact and expert discovery, witness preparation, depositions, hearings, and trial prep
• Represent patent owners and challengers in inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB
• Evaluate impact of post-grant proceedings on related litigation
• Collaborate with attorneys, scientists, technicians, and experts to analyze technologies and develop strategies
• Work with colleagues across jurisdictions and practice areas to manage disputes
• Advise clients on IP strategy, portfolio development, enforcement, and protection

Skills

Patent prosecution

Patent litigation

Life sciences

Biotech/pharma

Legal research

Written & oral comms

Education

JD from top-tier law school

Bar admission in applicable jurisdiction

PhD in life sciences preferred

USPTO registration

Job description

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY -- LIFE SCIENCES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual Property, Patent Prosecution & Litigation Practice Group

Locations: Boston, MA; Denver, CO; New York, NY; Palo Alto, CA; or Washington, DC

Our client, a leading international law firm, is seeking a highly motivated Associate Attorney to join its nationally recognized Intellectual Property Practice Group in Boston, Denver, New York, Palo Alto or Washington, DC . This is an outstanding opportunity for an attorney with a life sciences background to work on cutting-edge patent prosecution and litigation matters involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health. The successful candidate will collaborate with experienced intellectual property litigators, patent practitioners, and attorneys with deep scientific and technical knowledge to protect and advance clients' most valuable innovations.

HYBRID

Candidate Profile

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active Bar Admission in in applicable jurisdiction in good standing
• 2-4 years of substantive experience in patent prosecution and patent litigation
• Undergraduate degree in Biology or a closely related life sciences discipline
• PhD in a life sciences field strongly preferred
• Admission to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Experience handling patents involving the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, gene therapy, medical device, and digital health industries
• Experience with patent portfolio development and management
• Familiarity with competitive landscape analyses, patentability assessments, and intellectual property strategy
• Experience litigating patent matters in federal district courts and/or before the U.S. International Trade Commission
• Familiarity with inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Strong understanding of how post-grant proceedings may affect pending patent litigation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear and persuasive legal arguments
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary legal teams
• Large law firm or sophisticated intellectual property practice experience preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in sophisticated life sciences patent prosecution and litigation matters
• Draft and prosecute patent applications involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, digital health, and related technologies
• Assist with the development and management of domestic and international patent portfolios
• Conduct patentability, freedom-to-operate, competitive landscape, and intellectual property analyses
• Develop litigation strategies for complex patent disputes in federal district courts and other forums
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, and other substantive litigation documents
• Assist with fact and expert discovery, witness preparation, depositions, hearings, and trial preparation
• Represent patent owners and challengers in inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Evaluate the potential impact of post-grant proceedings on related patent litigation
• Collaborate with attorneys, scientists, technical specialists, and experts to analyze complex technologies and develop effective legal strategies
• Work with colleagues across jurisdictions and practice areas to manage domestic and international intellectual property disputes
• Advise clients on intellectual property strategy, portfolio development, enforcement, and protection

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to join a globally recognized intellectual property practice that represents clients in complex patent disputes, prosecution matters, and post-grant proceedings. The team works with a diverse client base ranging from emerging life sciences companies to major global corporations with extensive intellectual property portfolios.

Attorneys in this practice handle matters in prominent patent jurisdictions throughout the United States, as well as proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and federal appellate courts. The group's multidisciplinary approach combines sophisticated litigation capabilities with substantial scientific and technical experience, enabling its attorneys to understand clients' innovations and the business considerations surrounding their intellectual property.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced litigators, patent practitioners, and attorneys with advanced scientific backgrounds on challenging and commercially significant matters. The firm offers exceptional mentorship, meaningful responsibility, direct client exposure, and a collaborative environment that supports professional development and long-term career growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Expected salary range for this position is a minimum of $260,00 and a maximum of $320,000 annually. Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and class year.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave benefits, wellness resources, professional development opportunities, and additional employee perks.

*Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.