Patent Litigation Associate

Partners Legal Search; Washington, Tacoma (District of Columbia, WA, MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Partners Legal Search is representing a globally recognized intellectual property law firm seeking a Patent Litigation Associate to join its Electrical & Computer Technology practice in Washington, DC. The role targets midlevel to senior associates with a strong technical background in computer hardware, software, or related electrical technologies.

The candidate will handle complex patent disputes across hardware, software, electronics, telecommunications, and related technologies, including

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• 4–6 years of patent litigation experience.
• Experience with IPR proceedings before the PTAB.
• Computer Science or Electrical Engineering background (or closely related technical discipline).
• Strong legal writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Handle patent litigation matters in federal court.
• Represent clients in inter partes review (IPR) and other PTAB proceedings.
• Develop infringement, validity, and claim construction strategies.
• Draft briefs, motions, petitions, responses, and other substantive filings.
• Work with technical experts and prepare expert reports.
• Manage discovery and technical document review.
• Prepare witnesses and experts for depositions and testimony.
• Support Markman hearings, trial preparation, and appellate strategy.
• Analyze sophisticated hardware and software technologies.
• Work directly with clients on litigation and IP strategy.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Oral advocacy

Legal writing

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Our client, a globally recognized intellectual property law firm, is seeking a Patent Litigation Associate to join its growing Electrical & Computer Technology practice in Washington, D.C.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a midlevel to senior associate with a technical background in computer hardware, software, electrical engineering, or related technologies to work on sophisticated patent litigation and PTAB matters for leading technology companies.

The practice combines deep technical knowledge with high-stakes litigation experience and offers attorneys the opportunity to work alongside practitioners with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, and cutting-edge technologies.

Role Overview

The associate will work on complex patent disputes involving computer hardware, software, electronics, telecommunications, and related technologies.

Responsibilities may include:

• Handling patent litigation matters in federal court
• Representing clients in inter partes review (IPR) and other PTAB proceedings
• Developing infringement, validity, and claim construction strategies
• Drafting briefs, motions, petitions, responses, and other substantive filings
• Working with technical experts and preparing expert reports
• Managing discovery and technical document review
• Preparing witnesses and experts for depositions and testimony
• Supporting Markman hearings, trial preparation, and appellate strategy
• Analyzing sophisticated hardware and software technologies
• Working directly with clients on litigation and IP strategy

Candidate Profile

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• 4-6 years of patent litigation experience
• At least 4 years of substantive litigation experience
• Experience with IPR proceedings before the PTAB
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Or a closely related technical discipline
• Strong understanding of computer hardware, software, or related electrical technologies
• Exceptional legal writing skills
• Strong analytical, technical, and oral advocacy abilities
• USPTO registration preferred, but not required
• Ability to work effectively with engineers, technical experts, and sophisticated technology clients

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join one of the most sophisticated IP-focused litigation platforms in the market
• Work on high-stakes patent litigation and PTAB proceedings
• Represent leading companies in technology-intensive industries
• Collaborate with a deep bench of attorneys and professionals with technical and engineering backgrounds
• Gain exposure to emerging technologies across AI, software, semiconductors, networking, telecommunications, and electronics
• Significant opportunity to deepen both courtroom and PTAB experience
• Work alongside attorneys who understand the underlying technology, not just the legal issues
• Excellent platform to build a highly specialized and marketable patent litigation practice

Interested in learning more confidentially?