I.P. - Patent Prosecution Associate - Life Sciences

Fenwick & West•Washington, DC

5d•$235,000 - $390,000•Hybrid

About The Position

For over 50 years, Fenwick & West has helped some of the world’s most recognized companies become, and remain, market leaders. From emerging enterprises to large public corporations, our clients are leaders in the technology and life sciences sectors and are fundamentally changing the world through rapid innovation. One reason for this success is Fenwick’s nationally recognized Patent Group, which was named the Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year by Managing Intellectual Property (Nationwide 2023 & 2022 and Western U.S. 2024 & 2021-2022), ranked as a Tier 1 Patent Prosecution Firm in California by Chambers USA (2025), named as Highly Recommended for Patent Prosecution in California by IAM Patent 1000 (2025), and is consistently recognized as a leading patent prosecution practice by The Legal 500, including receiving the Highest Tier Nationally for Patent Prosecution (2024). We are seeking an experienced patent attorney for our life sciences patent practice in our Silicon Valley, Boston, New York or Washington, DC offices. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of law firm experience, though a candidate with fewer years of experience could also be a fit. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual with a Ph.D. (or M.S. with research experience) in Cellular & Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field to join our busy life sciences patent prosecution and counseling practice as a patent attorney. Some experience with medtech, AI, and/or medical/biotech devices is also a plus. This is a full-time position with in-office requirements of at least three days a week. To apply, the candidate must complete our online application and include a cover letter, resume, full academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate transcripts), and two writing samples (1. an application drafted by the candidate, and 2. an office action response with persuasive argument drafted by the candidate). Agency recruiters: please submit separately via your agency's Workday portal.

Requirements

Must have superb technical, written and verbal communication skills
Broad scientific knowledge in biotechnology is required
The individual must possess initiative, be a fast learner, and work well on disparate teams
Must be registered with the USPTO as a patent practitioner

Nice To Haves

Some experience with medtech, AI, and/or medical/biotech devices is also a plus

Responsibilities

Manage client relationships and client patent portfolios
Conduct prior art database searches for patentability and freedom to operate analyses
Counseling
Litigation support
Conduct IP due diligence for financings and corporate deals
Draft patent applications and responses to office actions
Train and mentor junior patent agents and attorneys
Participate in post-grant procedures at the USPTO