Junior – Mid level Biology Associate

MBHB (McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

MBHB (McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP) in Chicago, IL, seeks an experienced patent attorney to support biotech and pharmaceutical patent prosecution, client counseling, and strategic advisory services. The role emphasizes collaboration with clients, inventors, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality patent work.

The candidate should have 2–6 years in biotech/pharma patent prosecution, be licensed to practice in Illinois (or eligible), and be prepared to contribute to

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of biotech/pharma patent prosecution experience.
• Admission to practice before the USPTO is required.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois (or eligible to sit for Illinois Bar).
• Experience working with academic institutions, startups, and mid-sized biotech/pharma companies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to convey complex concepts clearly in legal and technical contexts.

Responsibilities

• Patent Prosecution: Assist with prosecution and counseling for biotech clients, including Fortune 100 companies, startups, and academia.
• Client & Inventor Collaboration: Communicate complex technical concepts to legal and non-legal audiences and build client relationships.
• Business Development: Contribute to the firm's growth and strategic initiatives.
• Budget & Time Management: Manage client budgets and timelines, ensure efficient resource use.
• Team Development & Mentorship: Mentor junior practitioners and contribute to a collaborative culture.
• Continuous Professional Development: Stay current on industry and legal developments in patent law.

Skills

Biotech patent prosecution

Client counseling

Relationship management

Time management

Team mentorship

Business development

Education

Bachelor's in life sciences

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

Job Description

Location: Chicago, IL.

Key Responsibilities

• Patent Prosecution: Assist with patent prosecution and counseling for a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 100 companies, startups, and academic institutions. Assist with the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications while ensuring high-quality, timely deliverables. Demonstrate the ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Client & Inventor Collaboration: Demonstrate the ability to interact with clients and understand their technologies and provide technical insights that help inform patent strategies. Demonstrate the ability to develop strong, professional relationships with clients, effectively communicating complex technical concepts to both legal and non-legal audiences while representing the firm's technical expertise and providing clear, strategic advice.
• Business Development: Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the firm's business development efforts and strategic growth.
• Budget & Time Management: Manage client budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and maintaining project timelines. Demonstrate excellent time management skills and responsiveness in all client interactions.
• Team Development & Mentorship: Assist in building a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture. Participate as a mentee in the professional development program and provide informal guidance to junior practitioners and other team members.
• Continuous Professional Development: Stay abreast of industry developments, scientific advancements, and legal trends in patent law. Exhibit an eagerness to continue learning and growing both in your technical and legal expertise.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related life sciences field, combined with substantial industry or research experience.
• Preferred: Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline.

Experience

• 2-6 years of patent prosecution experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or biology sectors.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois (or licensed in another state and qualified to sit for the Illinois Bar Exam OR admission on motion into Illinois).
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required.
• Experience working with academic institutions, startups, and mid-sized companies in the biotech or pharma space is preferred.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely in both legal and technical contexts.
• Strong legal analysis and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and strategically in patent prosecution and client counseling.
• Ability to manage effectively an active prosecution docket that includes multiple clients and cases while maintaining strong client relationships.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage time and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Ambition and adaptability, with a desire to contribute to the growth of the firm and advance in leadership.
• A proactive attitude toward taking on new challenges, providing constructive feedback, and supporting junior team members.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary for this position is $200,000 to $230,000. In addition to base pay, practitioners are eligible for origination bonuses, engagement bonuses, and productivity bonuses for hours billed in increments of 50 more than the 1,900-hour requirement.

MBHB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other protected group status under the law. MBHB is an Aff