Attorney Adviser

Patent and Trademark Office•Alexandria, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney Adviser works with the USPTO’s Office of Petitions, supporting the Patents Business Unit by investigating potential misconduct in patent applications and related matters and preparing draft decisions. The role involves applying legal authorities and evidence to recommend appropriate case outcomes. The worksite is the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia, where in-person presence is required for onsite functions. Situational telework may be available at agency or business-unit discretion; the agency currently allows 52 telework hours per leave year.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or nationality.
One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including analyzing patent application files, legal matters, or case files for potential fraud or misconduct; investigating potential misconduct in patent processes to identify suspicious patterns; applying regulations, legal decisions, and guidance to recommend legal or administrative actions; and drafting proposed final decisions based on case-file review.
Three years of post-J.D. professional legal experience involving work such as rendering legal advice, preparing legal or administrative orders, drafting or reviewing legal documents and decisions, conducting investigations, determining questions of law, and analyzing legal precedents.
A J.D. or LL.M. from an American Bar Association-accredited law school and active membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territorial court.
Must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
Must be suitable for Federal employment and pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Must complete OF-450 financial disclosure.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
Resume and responses to application questions must demonstrate job-related competencies.

Responsibilities

Investigate suspected fraud, misrepresentation, false statements, unauthorized representation, and other misconduct involving patent applications and related matters.
Review patent applications, filings, signatures, certifications, correspondence, and other evidence to identify improper or suspicious activity.
Identify patterns, relationships, and emerging schemes involving applicants, practitioners, entities, or other participants in the patent process.
Recommend sanctions, corrective actions, or other case outcomes based on the evidence, seriousness of the conduct, and applicable law.
Prepare draft decisions by reviewing the record, resolving disputed facts and legal issues, and developing supported findings and conclusions.