Patent Prosecution Associate — Portfolio Strategy, San Francisco

Watts & Associates Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 310,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Wellbeing programmes

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates is partnering with a leading Am Law 20 global firm to recruit a Patent Prosecution Associate in San Francisco, CA. The role focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio strategy for high-value technology clients, with close work alongside partners and senior lawyers.

The successful candidate will own drafting and prosecution workstreams, coordinate with inventors and in-house teams, and gain exposure to international portfolio matters.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3+ years of patent prosecution or related patent practice experience.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
• Technical background aligned with relevant inventions and client work.
• Strong technical writing, analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and prosecution deadlines.
• Excellent communication and client-service abilities.
• Strong academic credentials (T14 Law School preferred).
• Admission to the California Bar.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute US patent applications.
• Develop domestic and international patent-portfolio strategies.
• Interview inventors and analyse complex technologies.
• Prepare responses to office actions and examiner communications.
• Conduct prior-art and patentability analysis.
• Coordinate foreign prosecution and international counsel.
• Support freedom-to-operate, diligence and strategic counselling.
• Manage portfolio deadlines and client reporting.

Skills

Patent prosecution experience

Patent drafting

Analytical writing

Client service

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission

Job description

Watts & Associates is partnering with a leading Am Law 20 global firm to recruit a Patent Prosecution Associate in San Francisco, CA. The role focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio strategy for high-value technology clients, with close work alongside partners and senior lawyers.

The successful candidate will own drafting and prosecution workstreams, coordinate with inventors and in-house teams, and gain exposure to international portfolio matters.