Lateral Associate, IP and Patent Litigation – 3rd to 5th Year

Sterne Kessler

3d•$260,000 - $365,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops. As an Associate in the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG), you will have the opportunity to practice high‑stakes intellectual property litigation in a truly integrated trial‑to‑appeal environment. TAG is known for handling complex patent disputes across district courts, the ITC, PTAB, and the Federal Circuit, giving associates meaningful exposure to every phase of a case and a sophisticated understanding of how trial strategy and appellate advocacy intersect. With lean teams, hands‑on responsibility, and close collaboration with nationally recognized IP litigators, associates are trusted early with substantive work, client interaction, and strategic decision‑making—making it an ideal platform for lawyers who want to accelerate their development while working at the cutting edge of IP law.

Requirements

JD and actively licensed as an attorney in a U.S. jurisdiction. Must be eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or be willing and eligible to sit for the D.C. bar exam.
3-5 years practicing patent and/or IP litigation at another law firm.
Hybrid work model preferred: We prefer that new hires maintain a regular in-office presence (flexible on number of times per week), but will consider remote work arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
A foundation in IP and patent law.
Stellar academic credentials.

Nice To Haves

Technical background or experience working with complex technologies (e.g., EE, CS, life sciences)
Judicial clerkship experience
USPTO registration number desirable but not required

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
Staffed by a Nurse Practitioner, offers firm employees and other qualified family members with a range of medical services
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