Design Associate (Licensed Attorney)

Sterne Kessler•Washington, DC

8d•$190,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is seeking a junior associate to join its Mechanical & Design Group and work on cutting-edge design patent matters alongside a team recognized as the inaugural “Design Patent Firm of the Year” by Managing IP in 2026 and ranked among the top two U.S. law firms for design patents for the last three years. This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid basis, with regular in-office days. You have flexibility to pick which days you work in the office.

Requirements

Bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree in one of the following disciplines: industrial design, product design, architecture, applied arts, graphic design, fine/studio arts, art teaching education, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, material science or physics, or an equivalent discipline.
JD and actively licensed as an attorney in a U.S. jurisdiction, preferably D.C. If not yet licensed in D.C., must be eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or be willing and eligible to sit for the D.C. bar exam.
1-3 years of experience as a licensed attorney practicing patent law, with experience in design patent prosecution and counseling.
Possess a USPTO registration number (either Patent and/or Design) or possess the scientific, technical, or engineering qualifications necessary to qualify for the USPTO Registration Examination (Patent Bar) under Category A, Category B, or Category D eligibility criteria.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced client-service environment.

Nice To Haves

Preferably licensed in D.C. or eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or willing and eligible to sit for the D.C. bar exam.

Responsibilities

Prepare and prosecute U.S. design patent applications and coordinate international design protection strategies under the supervision of senior attorneys.
Analyze product designs and provide advice regarding the availability and scope of design patent protection for clients across a range of industries.
Draft responses to USPTO office actions, participate in examiner interviews and develop prosecution strategies to advance client objectives.
Collaborate with inventors, designers, in-house counsel, and foreign counsel to develop design protection strategies and shape clients’ design patent portfolios.
Assist with due diligence reviews, intellectual property transactions, and enforcement activities involving design patent rights.
Conduct legal research and assist with preparing opinions, analyses, and client counseling regarding design patent protection, infringement, validity, and enforceability.
Monitor developments in U.S. and international design law and contribute to client alerts, presentations, and thought leadership initiatives.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in addition to virtual care services through CloseKnit
On-site Wellness Center in our Washington, D.C. office
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care
Wellness program
Firm-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
Firm-paid short and long term disability insurance
Supplemental life insurance and supplemental AD&D coverage, supplemental long term disability insurance, long term care insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Transportation commuter benefit program
Back-up childcare and family support
Pet insurance discount
Employee Assistance Program services