Patent Attorney — Life Sciences & Chemistry (Ph.D.)

Hylton-Rodic Law•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

HYLTON-RODIC LAW is seeking a junior Ph.D.-trained patent attorney to join their growing Washington, DC intellectual property boutique. The firm serves clients in life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, university, and innovation-driven sectors. They emphasize quality legal work, client service, and a better way to practice law, aiming to build a firm where excellent lawyers can do challenging work and maintain a life outside of it. This role is for individuals looking to grow, contribute, question, learn, and help build the future of the firm, rather than just coast or follow a predetermined career path. The firm values the scientific training and intellectual agility that a Ph.D. provides, enabling attorneys to absorb complex technical material, identify key issues, and translate sophisticated science into legal strategy. While the credential is not enough, demonstrated capability with that training is essential.

Requirements

Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, or closely related discipline
J.D.
Active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Active USPTO registration
Approximately 1–2+ years of substantive patent prosecution experience
Scientific depth, writing ability, judgment, curiosity, and learning velocity to develop into an exceptional patent practitioner
Demonstrated capability with doctoral training
Competence + judgment + ownership = trust = autonomy philosophy
Ability to take ownership instead of waiting to be chased
Resourcefulness when the answer is not obvious
Reliable follow-through
Care about the client—not merely completing the assignment
Desire for increasing responsibility and preparedness to earn it
Ability to work effectively with smart people without needing to compete with them
Ability to rally when genuinely demanding client work requires it
Instinct to figure things out when encountering the unknown
Willingness to accept constructive feedback and substantial revisions

Nice To Haves

Experience gained as an attorney, patent agent, student associate, or technical specialist
Exceptional candidates with somewhat less traditional experience may also be considered where demonstrated capability is unusually strong

Responsibilities

Drafting patent applications
Analyzing Office Actions and cited prior art
Developing claim amendments and prosecution strategy
Drafting substantive Office Action responses
Conducting prior-art and patentability analyses
Participating in inventor and scientist interviews
Supporting U.S. and international patent prosecution
Working with foreign associates
Learning to evaluate individual prosecution decisions in the context of a broader portfolio
Communicating directly with clients and inventors as capabilities develop
Managing deadlines and developing ownership of the docket
Working effectively with legal-support professionals
Increasingly participating in the strategic thinking behind the work

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-subsidized individual medical coverage
401(k) with employer match
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Commuter benefits
Paid time off
Paid firm holidays
Three Mental Health Days
Birthday leave
Annual year-end firm closure through New Year’s
Sunshine Fridays / early Fridays when applicable performance targets are met
Floating remote days
HRL’s Sabbatical Program
Performance-based compensation program unlocking up to $75,000+ in additional annual cash compensation