IP Senior Associate Attorney - Life Sciences (CA)

Keystone Distinction Group; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group seeks an Associate Attorney with a life sciences IP focus in Palo Alto. The role emphasizes patent prosecution and litigation handling biotech, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health matters, within a leading international firm’s IP practice.

Candidates should have a top-tier JD, active bar status, 3–5 years post‑JD experience in patent prosecution and litigation, biology background, and USPTO admission. A PhD is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active Bar Admission in the 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 involving 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 U.S. International Trade Commission
• Familiarity with inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple sophisticated matters with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Large law firm or sophisticated IP practice experience preferred

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 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 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 potential impact of post-grant proceedings on related patent litigation
• Collaborate with attorneys, scientists, technical specialists, and experts to analyze complex technologies and develop strategies
• Work with colleagues across jurisdictions and practice areas to manage IP disputes domestically and internationally
• Advise clients on IP strategy, portfolio development, enforcement, and protection

Job description

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY – LIFE SCIENCES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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 in applicable jurisdiction in good standing

• 3-5 years of substantivepost-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
• 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 parts 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: 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.