Patent Agent

LegalZoom.com, Inc.; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Patent Agent, where you'll leverage your expertise to enhance our intellectual property portfolio. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape patent service offerings while working remotely in a collaborative environment. You'll conduct patent searches, advise clients, and draft applications, ensuring that small businesses receive top-tier legal services. With a commitment to innovation and diversity, this organization is dedicated to making a positive impact in the legal field. If you're passionate about patent law and eager to contribute to a growing firm, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

401k with Matching Contributions

Paid Time Off

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Short-Term/Long-Term Disability Insurance

Fertility benefits

Mental Health benefits

One Medical

Fringe lifestyle benefits up to $250

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in U.S. patent prosecution with a strong focus on client interactions.
• License to practice before the USPTO is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patent searches and provide strategic advice to clients.
• Draft and file patent applications, including provisional and utility patents.

Skills

U.S. patent prosecution experience

Oral and written communication skills

Business acumen

Ability to explain legal concepts

Prioritization and deadline management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

LegalZoom has been providing accessible and affordable online legal services for over 20 years. Since 2001, we’ve helped millions of customers launch, run, and grow their businesses, secure their intellectual property, and protect their loved ones with estate planning documents.

As the industry leader in business formations, innovation remains at the center of all we do. LegalZoom employees are creative thinkers and problem-solvers who thrive on collaboration and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Together, we’re working to make a positive impact on the world.

In 2021, we were licensed by the Supreme Court in Arizona to operate our own US law firm, LZ Legal Services, LLC. With this approval, LegalZoom is at the forefront of regulatory innovation as the first publicly traded company (and one of the very few non-lawyer owned companies) to own a US-based law firm! Through our law firm, we offer customers access to technology-enabled, cost-effective, and quality legal services. We file trademark applications at a fraction of the cost of a traditional offline attorney. Since inception, we have filed over 50K trademark applications for clients, making LZ Legal Services the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office’s highest volume filer. We also co-counsel across states to offer various legal services for small businesses and consumers. We plan to scale our offering to include provisional and non-provisional patent drafting in 2025.

Remote-first

In an effort to foster a better work-life balance, LegalZoom is committed to a remote-first work environment. Our Austin, Beaverton, Frisco, LA Metro, and SF Bay Area offices allow our Zoomers to collaborate with teammates and offer special onsite events, lunches, and more.

This position is 100% remote and is not required to come into the office.

Overview

We are seeking a skilled and forward-thinking patent agent to grow our intellectual property portfolio expertise. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape and expand our patent service offerings, utilizing technology to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in delivering exceptional legal services to our valued SMB clients, ensuring that they receive top-tier, innovative solutions tailored to their needs. This is a unique chance to make a significant impact within our growing firm.

You will

1. Conduct and review patent searches and provide strategic advice and risk analyses to clients.
2. Advise internal legal support staff, including but not limited to trademark and staff attorneys, on patent search and illustration inputs.
3. Conduct patentability assessments and advise clients on patent strategy.
4. Conduct client consultations with SMB and start-up owners to advise on patent strategy.
5. Draft and file patent applications for clients, including provisional, utility and design patents.
6. Respond to office actions, prepare arguments and amendments to overcome examiner rejections.
7. Maintain accurate records and documentation of all legal processes, client notes and communications.
8. Be a custodian of culture, partnering with support functions to drive engagement, development and continuous learning initiatives.

You have

1. 2 or more years of U.S. patent prosecution experience.
2. A license to practice in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
3. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, chemistry, or a related scientific or technical field (advanced degree preferred).
4. Superb oral and written communication skills with the ability to explain legal concepts to non-attorneys on a regular basis over the phone and online.
5. Experience and general enjoyment working with small businesses and start-ups and the ability to prioritize work and manage deadlines.
6. Strong business acumen and a passion for designing patent service delivery workflows.

Remote Employees should confirm that the internet service available has adequate bandwidth to support all work processes.

Actual compensation offered will depend on several factors including but not limited to: geographic location, work experience, education, skill level, and/or other business and organizational needs. In addition, an annual bonus, incentive bonus and/or restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package. You will also receive a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as seen below.

• 401k, With Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short-Term/Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Plus other wellness benefits to include:
• Fertility
• Mental Health
• One Medical
• Fringe lifestyle benefits up to $250

Join us in making a difference as we build our future and help ensure access to professional legal advice to all! LegalZoom is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. LegalZoom prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.