Life Sciences IP Associate: Prosecution & Litigation

THR Partners; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

THR Partners’ Life Sciences Intellectual Property practice in Boston, MA seeks an Associate Attorney with a life sciences background to handle patent prosecution and litigation matters for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health. The role offers opportunities to collaborate with senior IP litigators and patent practitioners across jurisdictions.

The ideal candidate has a JD from a top-tier law school, strong academics, and 2–4 years of relevant

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in applicable jurisdiction in good standing.
• 2-4 years of substantive 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 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.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear and persuasive legal arguments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary legal teams.
• Large law firm or sophisticated intellectual property 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 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 partes 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.

Skills

Biology background

Patent prosecution

Patent litigation

IP strategy

Inter partes review

Legal writing

Team collaboration

Education

JD from top-tier law school

PhD in life sciences preferred

Bar admission in applicable jurisdiction

USPTO patent bar

Job description

THR Partners’ Life Sciences Intellectual Property practice in Boston, MA seeks an Associate Attorney with a life sciences background to handle patent prosecution and litigation matters for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical devices, and digital health. The role offers opportunities to collaborate with senior IP litigators and patent practitioners across jurisdictions.

The ideal candidate has a JD from a top-tier law school, strong academics, and 2–4 years of relevant