Lateral Associate, IP and Patent Litigation – 6th to 8th Year

ChIPs Network Inc.

Washington (District of Columbia)

Hybrid

USD 390,000 - 440,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

On-site Wellness Center

Flexible spending accounts

Wellness program

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Transportation benefits

Back-up childcare

Pet insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. in Washington, DC seeks a highly experienced IP litigator to join the Trial & Appellate Group as an Associate. You will handle high-stakes IP matters, work with renowned litigators, and contribute to strategy from trial to appeal.

Applicants should have a JD, DC bar eligibility, and 6–8 years of patent/IP litigation experience, with a hybrid schedule and strong academic credentials. Compensation aligns with market practice and billable expectations.

Qualifications

JD and actively licensed as an attorney in a U.S. jurisdiction; eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or sit for the D.C. bar exam.
6-8 years practicing patent and/or IP litigation at another law firm.
Hybrid work model preferred: regular in-office presence, but remote work arrangements on a case‑by‑case basis.

Responsibilities

Handle high‑stakes intellectual property litigation in a trial‑to‑appeal environment within the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG).
Collaborate with nationally recognized IP litigators on complex disputes across various forums.
Take on substantive work with early responsibility and direct client interaction while developing litigation strategies.

Skills

Technical background

Judicial clerkship experience

USPTO registration

Education

JD and bar license

Job description

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Named for several years as a \"great place\" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.

Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Role location:

This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid basis, with regular in-office days. You have flexibility to pick which days you work in the office.

About the Trial & Appellate Group:

As an Associate in the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG), you will have the opportunity to practice high‑stakes intellectual property litigation in a truly integrated trial‑to‑appeal environment. TAG is known for handling complex patent disputes across district courts, the ITC, PTAB, and the Federal Circuit, giving associates meaningful exposure to every phase of a case and a sophisticated understanding of how trial strategy and appellate advocacy intersect. With lean teams, hands‑on responsibility, and close collaboration with nationally recognized IP litigators, associates are trusted early with substantive work, client interaction, and strategic decision‑making—making it an ideal platform for lawyers who want to accelerate their development while working at the cutting edge of IP law.

Requirements:

JD and actively licensed as an attorney in a U.S. jurisdiction. Must be eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or be willing and eligible to sit for the D.C. bar exam.

6-8 years practicing patent and/or IP litigation at another law firm.

Hybrid work model preferred: We prefer that new hires maintain a regular in-office presence (flexible on number of times per week), but will consider remote work arrangements on a case‑by‑case basis.

A foundation in IP and patent law.

Stellar academic credentials.

Preferred skills:

Technical background or experience working with complex technologies (e.g., EE, CS, life sciences)

Judicial clerkship experience

USPTO registration number desirable but not required

Working with Us

Compensation philosophy: The actual salary rate offered to candidates within that range will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, education, and the candidate’s overall qualifications for the position as assessed by the firm.

Salary range:

The good faith salary range for this role is $390,000 to $440,000 at a 2000 hour billable goal.

Billable hours:

The firm has a flexible hours program under which an Associate can request a lower billable hour goal with a commensurate salary. Under the flexible hours program, you may select a billable hour goal in the range of 1400 to 2000 hours. Associates at our firm primarily doing patent or trademark prosecution tend to select hour goals less than 2000 hours, while attorneys primarily doing litigation and/or inter partes work are more likely to select hour goals of 2000 hours.

Benefits: