IP Litigation Associate

Lockridge Partners; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

Lockridge Partners in San Francisco seeks a mid-level associate to handle high-stakes patent and technology disputes across software, semiconductors, electronics, and life sciences. You will work directly with clients and experts, take depositions, and contribute to trial preparation. The firm offers a competitive compensation package and hybrid work flexibility.

We look for a J.D. from a top school, California Bar admission, and 3–6 years of patent/IP litigation experience, with strong research

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of patent/IP/intellectual property litigation experience at a law firm or in-house team.
• J.D. from an accredited law school with admission to the California Bar.
• Strong legal research, briefing, and oral argument skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent technology companies in complex patent and IP disputes.
• Handle federal court litigation from pleadings to trial preparation.
• Take and defend depositions of witnesses and experts.
• Collaborate with technical experts to analyze products, prior art, infringement, and damages.
• Draft claims construction briefs, dispositive motions, and discovery submissions.

Skills

Patent litigation

IP litigation

Federal court litigation

Deposition experience

Legal brief-writing

Technical background

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

California Bar Admission

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

A sophisticated San Francisco intellectual property litigation practice is seeking a mid-level associate to handle high-stakes patent and technology disputes for innovative companies operating across software, semiconductors, electronics, life sciences, and other technology-driven industries. The role combines complex technical subject matter with substantive litigation responsibility, giving associates opportunities to develop case strategy, work directly with experts and clients, take depositions, and argue significant issues. Compensation ranges from $235,000-$390,000, depending on experience.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Represent technology companies and other businesses in complex patent and intellectual property disputes
• Handle substantive aspects of federal court litigation from pleadings and discovery through claim construction, dispositive motions, expert discovery, and trial preparation
• Take and defend depositions of fact witnesses, technical experts, and corporate representatives
• Work directly with technical experts to analyze products, source code, prior art, infringement, validity, and damages issues
• Draft claim construction briefs, dispositive motions, discovery submissions, and other substantive litigation filings
• Develop case strategy alongside experienced IP litigators while taking increasing ownership of significant portions of matters

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar
• 3–6 years of patent litigation, IP litigation, or closely related complex litigation experience
• Experience with federal court litigation involving patents, technology, or other sophisticated intellectual property issues
• Strong legal research, brief-writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Technical or scientific background is preferred where relevant to the matters handled
• Deposition, claim construction, expert discovery, motion argument, or trial experience is a plus

WHAT WE OFFER

An opportunity for IP litigators to combine sophisticated technology disputes with the substantive responsibility needed to become genuine trial lawyers. The role offers $235,000-$390,000 in annual compensation, hybrid flexibility, direct client and expert exposure, meaningful deposition and advocacy opportunities, and increasing ownership of complex cases. Associates can deepen their technical IP experience without sacrificing development as broader commercial litigators.