IP Litigation Associate - Patent & Tech Disputes

the Opportunity; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with matching

Paid time off and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Miller Johnson is seeking an Intellectual Property Litigation Associate with 1–3 years of experience to join our IP Litigation Practice Group in Chicago. This role offers exposure to complex IP disputes, with emphasis on patent litigation, trademarks, and trade secrets, working alongside experienced attorneys in a collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, highly organized, and eager to deepen IP and technical knowledge.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar or eligibility and willingness to obtain admission promptly following hire.
• 1–3 years of litigation experience, ideally involving complex IP disputes.
• A technical or STEM background is preferred (e.g., CS, EE, aerospace).
• Patent litigation experience is preferred; exposure to trademark/trade secret litigation is valuable.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and factual research and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other materials under supervision.
• Support all phases of IP litigation including case development, discovery, and pretrial prep.
• Assist with written discovery, document review, and production issues.
• Prepare witnesses and clients for depositions and assist attorneys accordingly.
• Identify legal, factual and technical issues and clearly communicate findings.
• Develop familiarity with patent law and IP doctrines relevant to matters.
• Work with experts to analyze technical issues and prepare supporting materials.
• Take ownership of tasks and seek guidance as needed, meeting deadlines and communicating risks.
• Participate in client and expert interactions as appropriate; collaborate across teams.
• Travel periodically for depositions, hearings, and client meetings.

Skills

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Miller Johnson is seeking an Intellectual Property Litigation Associate with 1–3 years of experience to join our IP Litigation Practice Group in Chicago. This role offers exposure to complex IP disputes, with emphasis on patent litigation, trademarks, and trade secrets, working alongside experienced attorneys in a collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, highly organized, and eager to deepen IP and technical knowledge.