Senior IP Attorney (Partner Track)

NACBA; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Bar dues support

Flexible PTO

Job summary

CTW Law in Washington, D.C. seeks a Senior IP Attorney on a partner-track path to lead trademark prosecution and enforcement matters for a diverse client base in AI, technology, and entertainment software.

The role requires 7–12+ years of substantive trademark experience, with a portable book of business in the $200k–$500k range, and a DC Bar or immediate eligibility to waive into DC.

Qualifications

• Deep fluency in trademark prosecution and enforcement.
• 7–12+ years of trademark and IP experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong analytical abilities and meticulous attention to detail.
• Portable book of business in the $200k–$500k range preferred.
• High autonomy with collaborative approach.
• Tech savviness and familiarity with AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Handle trademark prosecution and enforcement matters independently.
• Manage complex client work with high quality, responsiveness, and business judgment.
• Contribute to firm growth and client portfolio expansion.
• Pursue a defined partner track within a boutique environment.
• Collaborate with CTW Law team and clients across industries.

Skills

Trademark prosecution

IP enforcement

Communication

Attention to detail

Portable book of business

Autonomy

Tech familiarity

Tools

AI tools

Job description

SeniorIPAttorney:PartnerTrackata Boutique IP Firm

Trademark,BrandProtection&Enforcement|BoutiqueIP Practice

• Location: Washington,D.C.(hybridpreferred;opentostrongcandidatesinotherU.S.markets as a remote role)
• BarRequirement: D.C.BarrequiredorimmediateeligibilitytowaiveintoD.C.
• ExperienceLevel: 7–12+yearsofsubstantivetrademarkexperience,withstrongbackground in prosecution and enforcement
• Classification: Full-TimeW-2Employeewithbenefits

MISSION OF THE ROLE

To serve as a senior attorney responsible for trademark prosecution and enforcement matters, managingcomplexclientworkindependentlyatahighstandardofquality,responsiveness,and business judgment, while contributing to the firm’s growth. Law Office of Chun T. Wright’s ("CTW Law") mission is to serve as top counsel to trailblazers for leading-edge industries including artificial intelligence (AI), technology, and videogames. The right hire does not simply fill a seat. They carry that standard forward.

THE OPPORTUNITY & PARTNER TRACK

The IP practice spans trademark prosecution, enforcement, and disputes, with a client base that includes U.S. and international companies across technology, AI, software platforms, entertainment software, consumer goods, travel, outdoor recreation, and other leading-edge industries.CTWLawisknownforitsresponsiveness,attentiontodetail,andabilitytocombine legal precision with practical business judgment and advice.

Fortherightcandidate,thisisnotalateralmove.Itisanopportunitytotakeonameaningfulrole withinahigh-qualityboutiquefirmwithadefinedculture,astrongreferralnetwork,andagrowing roster of innovative clients. For senior attorneys with proven business acumen and aligned values, there is a clear, structured partner track. Long-term trajectory and ownership within the firm is available to the right person, earned through performance and cultural fit.

OUTCOMES BY MILESTONE

• 30Days: HascompletedorientationtoCTWLaw’sfiles,systems,andclientrelationships, and is fully integrated into standard workflows.
• 60–90Days: Isoperatingwithlimitedsupervisionandtakingrealday-to-dayownershipof active prosecution and brand protection matters.
• 6Months: Isfunctioningwithtrueautonomy,runningtheirdefinedpracticelane,and serving as the primary contact for client accounts.
• 12Months: Hassuccessfullyintegratedtheirclientportfoliointothefirmandisoperatingasa key contributor to the trademark practice’s overall growth.
• 24Months: Hasestablishedahighlystable,self-sustainingpracticelaneandisactively positioned for the transition to equity partnership.

COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS

Must-Haves:

• Deepfluencyintrademarkprosecutionandenforcement,includingoppositionsbeforethe USPTO, cancellations, cease and desist matters, and related disputes.
• 7–12+yearsoftrademarkandIPexperience,withastrongbackgroundinboth prosecution and enforcement.
• Excellentwrittenandverbalcommunicationthatisclear,practical,andstrategically sound, consistent with CTW Law’s established reputation.
• Stronganalyticalabilitiesandmeticulousattentionto detail.
• Anexistingportablebookofbusinessordemonstrableabilitytooriginateandgrowclient relationships. A portable book in the $200,000–$500,000 range is preferred; candidates with strong growth potential will also be considered.
• High autonomy and self-direction with an ability to work collaboratively and receive constructivefeedback.Comfortwithclearownershipandaccountabilityinaboutique environment.
• Professionalmaturityandlow-egocollaboration,contributingtoahigh-trust,low-drama working environment.
• TechsavvinessandgenuinefamiliaritywithAItoolsandtheirapplicationinlegalpracticeto build a nimble, tech-forward firm.
• Interestinbuildingwithinthefirm,notoperatinginasilo.Thishireisfoundationaltoa larger, scalable team.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experiencewithanti-counterfeitingandanti-piracyenforcementataninternationalor cross-border level.
• Familiaritywithreferral-basedbusinessdevelopmentandanexistingnetworkwithinthe trademark and broader IP community.
• Experiencewithcopyrightaspartofenforcementandbrandprotectionstrategy.
• ConnectionstoorbareligibilityinmarketsbeyondD.C.,particularlyCaliforniaand Texas.

Who This Role is Not For:

• Youneedguaranteedcompensationabovethepostedbaserange. We'vebeenexplicit about what we can and cannot do, and we'd rather say so now than three months in.
• Youwantlarge-firminfrastructure. Aboutiquehandlesdirectlywhatadministrativelayers absorb elsewhere. Plenty of excellent lawyers prefer the layers — that's legitimate, and it isn't this job.
• You want the work without the practice. This seat contributes to the firm's growth: originating,pricing,building.Ifyouwanttodoexcellentlegalworkandnothingelse,that role exists and this isn't it.

CTW LAW CORE VALUES

Thesevaluesareoperational,notaspirational.Therighthirewillrecognizethemsinthems:

Be a Good Steward. The firm promotes wellbeing at every level: team, client, organizational, and community. When a problem surfaces, it is addressed quickly and professionally. Solutions come with the problems.

Be Nimble. CTW Law is easy to work with, both internally and for clients and their clients downstream. The "Wright-sized" approach means agility over bureaucracy, and communicationthatisalwaysdigestibleanddirect.Thefirmthinksquickly,listenscarefully, and offers options.

Act Courageously. Hard things are not avoided here. Difficult conversations happen promptlyandlive,nothiddenbehindemail.Ownershipistaken.Helpisaskedforwhen needed.

Stay Adept. Details matter. Commas matter. Polish and presentation matter. Over 90% of newbusinesscomesfromrepeatclientsorreferrals,atestamenttothecaliberofworkand the client experience the firm consistently delivers. That is the bar.

ROLE STRUCTURE, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This full-time W-2 position offers a guaranteed base salary of $150,000 to $200,000 annually, starting at $150,000 and increasing as your portable practice transitions to the firm. In addition to base salary, you earn an uncapped share of your collections above an agreed threshold, with a higher share on business you originate and on growth in the firm clients you take over. Total target Year 1 compensation is $150,000 to $250,000+, scaled to your portable book and origination performance. There are no billable-hour minimums for this role. Benefits include professional liability coverage, health insurance, a 401(k) with 4% employer match, bar dues and CLE support, and flexible PTO.