Supreme Court & Appellate Associate - Patent Appeals & IP

Orrick Herrington & Suttcliffe; Wheeling (WV); On-site; USD 365,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Orrick's nationally recognized Supreme Court & Appellate practice is seeking a lateral associate with a strong background in patent appeals and intellectual property. The ideal candidate will handle high-profile cases in a collegial, diverse, and team‑oriented environment across high-tech and life‑sciences industries.

The role involves drafting briefs, petitions for certiorari, and amicus briefs; researching complex patent-law and IP issues; developing appellate strategy; and collaborating with

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in appellate litigation with a focus on patent/IP appeals.
• Prior clerkship experience, especially with the Federal Circuit or a patent-docket district court.
• Demonstrated experience drafting appellate briefs and motions in patent/IP matters.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills; ability to distill complex issues into clear arguments.
• Excellent attention to detail; ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work with teams and communicate with clients and colleagues.
• Experience with life-sciences patent matters (not required but ideal).

Responsibilities

• Draft appellate briefs, petitions for certiorari, amicus briefs, and other filings.
• Conduct sophisticated legal research on patent-law and IP issues.
• Assist in developing appellate strategy and identify key legal arguments.
• Collaborate with trial teams to preserve appellate issues and develop records for appeal.
• Prepare for and participate in moot courts and oral argument preparation.
• Advise clients on appellate procedure, potential outcomes, and strategic considerations.
• Engage deeply with technical subject matter.

Skills

Patent appeals

IP appeals

Education

J.D.

Job description

Overview

Orrick has one of the nation's leading appellate practices. Orrick attorneys have successfully briefed and argued hundreds of appeals in courts at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court, every federal court of appeals, and numerous state courts. Our deep bench of appellate talent is one of the finest in the country, with former Supreme Court and court of appeals clerks, appellate counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, leaders in the legal non‑profit sector, and law school faculty. In 2023, Orrick was named Law360’s Appellate Group of the Year. We are also recognized by the leading global legal directories – Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US – and have become a destination for bet‑the‑company and industry‑changing appeals.

Our nationally recognized Supreme Court & Appellate practice is seeking a lateral associate with a strong background in patent appeals and intellectual property. We are looking for candidates who have both an uncompromising dedication to excellence and a desire to work on the highest profile cases in a collegial, informal, diverse, and team‑oriented environment. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious about and experienced in handling complex technical subject matter across the high‑tech and life‑sciences industries.

Our appellate practice includes a busy docket of bet‑the‑company and industry‑changing appeals, as well as a market leading "appellate eyes at trial" practice focusing on key motions and issue preservation at the trial court level.

Responsibilities

• Focus on Federal Circuit patent appeals, patent cases in an "appellate eyes" capacity, and other IP cases in the high‑tech and life‑sciences sectors.
• Draft appellate briefs, petitions for certiorari, amicus briefs, and other important legal filings.
• Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis on complex patent‑law and IP issues.
• Assist in developing appellate strategy and identifying key legal arguments.
• Collaborate with trial teams to preserve appellate issues and develop records for appeal.
• Prepare for and participate in moot courts and oral argument preparation.
• Advise clients on appellate procedure, potential outcomes, and strategic considerations.
• Engage deeply with technical subject matter.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in appellate litigation, with a focus on patent and IP appeals.
• Prior clerkship experience, especially with the Federal Circuit or a district court with a significant patent docket.
• Demonstrated experience drafting appellate briefs and substantive motions in patent or IP matters.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to distill complex technical and legal issues into clear, persuasive arguments.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence.
• Experience with life‑sciences patent matters (including with Hatch‑Waxman, BPCIA, or direct‑competitor cases) ideal but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between $365,000 and $420,000.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well‑being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short‑ and long‑term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits; health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.

Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statements

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration for employment. For attorney positions, a ‘qualified applicant’ is an individual who is a member of the State Bar of California, admitted in good standing, and is eligible to practice; or whose admission to the State Bar of California and eligibility to practice remains subject only to successful completion of the California Bar Examination.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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