IP Senior Associate Attorney - Life Sciences (CA)

Calqulate; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Calqulate is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its Life Sciences Intellectual Property team in Palo Alto. The attorney will handle sophisticated patent prosecution and litigation in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health.

The ideal candidate has a J.D. from a top law school, 3–5 years of post-JD experience, and USPTO admission, with a strong life sciences background. This is a hybrid role with collaboration across a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in applicable jurisdiction in good standing.
• 3-5 years of substantive post-JD 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 USPTO.
• Experience handling patents in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, 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 how post-grant proceedings may affect patent litigation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• 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.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Patent litigation

Life sciences background

Excellent communication

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. from a top-tier law school

PhD in life sciences

USPTO admission

Tools

USPTO experience

Job description

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY – LIFE SCIENCES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual Property, Patent Prosecution & Litigation Practice Group

Location: Palo Alto, CA;

HYBRID

Our client, a leading international law firm, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Associate Attorney to join its thriving Intellectual Property Practice Group in Palo Alto. This is an outstanding opportunity for an attorney with a strong life sciences background to work on sophisticated patent prosecution and litigation matters involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health. The successful candidate will collaborate with experienced intellectual property attorneys and technical professionals to protect, develop, and enforce clients’ most valuable innovations.

Candidate Profile

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active Bar Admission in applicable jurisdiction in good standing

• 3-5 years of substantive post-JD 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 in 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
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• 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

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: 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.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and undergraduate and graduate school transcripts for consideration.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.