Washington, DC - Intellectual Property - Life Sciences - Midlevel Associate

plug-legal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 225,000 - 435,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with profit sharing

Exceptional paid time off

Job summary

plug-legal in Washington, DC is seeking a Patent Prosecution Associate specializing in Life Sciences and Biotechnology. This mid-level associate role involves guiding clients through complex IP strategies and managing patent portfolios for innovative biotechnology firms.

Ideal candidates will have 1-5 years of patent prosecution experience and a Ph.D. in a life sciences discipline. The firm offers a competitive salary range of $225,000 to $435,000 along with exceptional benefits and a clear career trajectory.

Qualifications

• 1-5 years of experience in patent prosecution.
• Advanced degree in life sciences or equivalent.
• USPTO registration or eligibility to sit for patent bar.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through intellectual property protection lifecycle.
• Manage and build high-value patent portfolios.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses.

Skills

Patent prosecution experience

Life sciences expertise

Client management

Education

Ph.D. in life sciences (preferred)

Job description

Patent Prosecution Associate – Life Sciences / Biotechnology – Washington, DC

Practice Area: Intellectual Property / Patent Prosecution

Experience: 1–5 years

Requirements: Advanced degree in life sciences (Ph.D. preferred); USPTO registration or eligibility to sit for the patent bar within 12 months.

This is an opportunity for a technically sophisticated patent attorney to transition from routine portfolio drafting to high-stakes, commercial IP strategy for world-changing biotechnology innovators. A premier Am Law 50 global firm is seeking a mid-level associate to join its elite Washington, DC IP practice, stepping directly into a sophisticated workflow that bridges cutting-edge science and complex global patent law.

The Work

You will guide life sciences and biotech innovators through the entire lifecycle of intellectual property protection. This is a highly strategic, client-facing role where you will be directly involved in building and managing high-value patent portfolios, drafting complex applications for breakthrough therapies, and conducting critical freedom-to-operate (FTO) and patentability analyses. Your clients will span from venture-backed startups to multinational pharmaceutical giants, ensuring your portfolio exposure remains broad and sophisticated.

Who This Is For

You are an intelligent, scientifically driven attorney with one to five years of patent prosecution experience within a dedicated biotechnology practice. You possess a deep technical foundation—ideally a Ph.D. in a life sciences discipline (molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related fields)—and can easily speak the language of founders and chief scientific officers. You either hold a USPTO registration number or have the foundational credentials to sit for and pass the patent bar exam within your first year in the role.

The Platform

The firm offers the rare combination of an elite, global footprint with a deeply collaborative, partner‑led mentorship structure in Washington, DC. You will work alongside recognized leaders in the life sciences space who invest in your professional development, ensuring you gain the strategic advisory skills necessary to transition from an associate who executes work to a trusted advisor. The firm is highly meritocratic, offering a clear, predictable trajectory for associates looking to build a long‑term career.

Why Washington, DC

Practicing IP in Washington, DC puts you at the absolute nexus of law, policy, and innovation. Beyond the city's close proximity to the USPTO and federal regulatory bodies like the FDA, the Mid‑Atlantic region has evolved into a premier bio‑health capital. Working from this office allows you to command elite, global‑tier IP work and top‑market compensation while being situated in a sophisticated metropolitan hub with unparalleled cultural, intellectual, and professional density.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $225,000 to $435,000, determined by your class year, technical expertise, and depth of experience. The comprehensive benefits package includes market‑leading medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) eligibility with profit sharing; exceptional paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave); and robust professional development and bar association support.