Associate / Attorney - Patent Prosecution

Posted 2 days ago

watts associates recruitmentAlexandria (VA)

Lawyers All Other Legal Services

SENIORITY

Senior

SALARY

$140,000 to $260,000

Apply

About the role

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a national full service firm with a recognized intellectual property practice seeking a mid level Patent Prosecution Associate to join its Washington DC office on a hybrid basis. This role offers direct access to sophisticated patent portfolios for technology focused clients, with meaningful ownership of drafting and prosecution strategy. You will work closely with partners on high value matters while benefiting from structured training, national platform collaboration, and a clear long term advancement path. Company Highlights Join a well established national full service platform recognized in leading legal directories for multiple practice areas Work on sophisticated patent matters for technology driven clients in cutting edge industries Access over 1,000 attorneys across more than 20 offices providing a broad national IP platform Benefit from direct partner access, hands on mentorship and collaborative cross office teams Leverage structured training, leadership development, diversity initiatives and flexible working arrangements for long term growth

The Role: Draft and prosecute US and international patent applications across complex electrical and computer related technologies Conduct prior art searches, patentability analyses and freedom to operate assessments for sophisticated corporate clients Respond to office actions and develop prosecution strategies with minimal supervision Collaborate with partners and in house counsel to align IP strategy with business objectives Support portfolio management, occasional opinion work and contribute to practice and client development

Ideal Candidate Profile: The firm is seeking a mid level Patent Prosecution Associate with: At least 3 years of focused patent prosecution experience in a law firm setting Substantial patent drafting and prosecution experience in electrical engineering, computer science or related technologiesUSPTO registration and an active bar admission in the District of Columbia or ability to obtainA JD and strong academic credentials, ideally from a law school ranked up to approximately T50A degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, software engineering, physics or mathematics Compensation & Benefits$140,000 to $260,000 base salary, depending on experience Performance based bonus opportunity aligned with firm and individual results Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits Paid time off and firm recognized holidays Reasonable 1,900 hour billable expectation with robust training and development support Relevant search terms: patent prosecution associate, patent attorney, mid level patent associate, intellectual property, IP attorney, Washington DC patent jobs, DC patent prosecution, electrical engineering patent, computer science patent, software patent drafting, USPTO registered attorney, Am Law platform, national law firm, litigation support IP, technology patents, physics patent, mathematics patent, patent portfolio management, office action responses, law firm associate#legalcareers #attorneyjobs #patentprosecution #intellectualproperty #patentattorney #WashingtonDCjobs #midlevelassociate #USPTObar #techlaw #lawfirmcareers #IPcareers #DCattorney #nationallawfirm #careerdevelopment #associatehiring

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.