Trademark Associate – Midlevel

Venable LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 215,000 - 355,000; Full time

Job summary

Venable LLP's Intellectual Property Group seeks a midlevel associate with five to seven years of substantial U.S. trademark experience in a law firm to join our Washington, DC practice.

The candidate will handle prosecution, clearance, enforcement, portfolio management, and TTAB proceedings while advising clients on selection, registrability, use, and strategic enforcement. Strong drafting and client-service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of substantive U.S. trademark experience in a law firm setting.
• Experience with trademark prosecution, clearance searches, portfolio management, and TTAB proceedings.
• Strong drafting, research, and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead U.S. trademark prosecutions, including applications, Office Actions, Statements of Use, and post-registration filings.
• Conduct and analyze trademark clearance searches; prepare risk-based opinions using Corsearch/Saegis and USPTO tools.
• Manage large global portfolios; advise on enforcement strategies and license agreements as needed.
• Draft and respond to cease-and-desist letters and TTAB filings, including oppositions and cancellations.

Skills

Trademark experience

Client management

Deadline management

Budget-conscious service

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Corsearch

Saegis

USPTO search system

Job description

Venable LLP's Intellectual Property Group is seeking a midlevel associate with five to seven years of substantive U.S. trademark experience in a law firm setting to join our practice in Washington, D.C.

Our team advises and represents clients across the full spectrum of trademark and brand protection law, including prosecution, clearance, enforcement, portfolio management, and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The ideal candidate will have significant hands-on experience with U.S. trademark prosecution, including preparing and filing applications, responding to Office Actions, Statements of Use, extensions of time, and post-registration maintenance filings. Prior experience should also include conducting and analyzing trademark clearance searches and preparing practical, risk-based search opinions using platforms such as Corsearch, Saegis, and the USPTO search system. Experience counseling clients on trademark selection, registrability, use, enforcement, and portfolio management is essential, as is experience managing large global trademark portfolios for sophisticated clients. The successful candidate will also have experience drafting and responding to cease-and-desist letters, advising on trademark enforcement strategies, and handling TTAB proceedings, including drafting and filing oppositions, cancellations, and extensions of time. Our practice places a premium on strong client service skills and responsiveness in a high-volume practice, the ability to manage numerous deadlines and matters simultaneously, and the capacity to work efficiently within budgets. A track record of working directly with clients, managing matters with counsel or partner oversight, and exercising sound judgment is highly desired.

Experience with Madrid Protocol filings, litigating contested TTAB proceedings from discovery through final disposition, and negotiating coexistence, consent, settlement, and license agreements is a plus but not required. Familiarity with domain name disputes (UDRP), social media takedowns, online brand enforcement, anti-counterfeiting programs, customs recordation, and AI-assisted legal research and trademark search tools is also valued.

Candidates must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, possess excellent academic credentials, and be admitted to at least one U.S. state bar with the ability to waive into the D.C. bar. The successful candidate will possess strong legal research, analytical, drafting, and written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and superior organizational abilities.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Our lawyers and legislative advisors serve domestic and international clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and government affairs. Additional information can be found at Venable.com.

The salary range for associate positions is $215,000 to $355,000. The actual salary offered will be based on a number of job-related factors including, but not limited to, years of related experience, level of education, skills, credentials and certifications, responsibilities and performance.

Venable LLP does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. To view our inclusion and opportunity policy, please click here.