Mid-Level Ph.D. Patent Attorney — Life Sciences & Chemistry
About The Position
Hylton-Rodic Law is seeking an experienced Ph.D.-trained Patent Attorney to join our growing life sciences intellectual property practice. This role is for an attorney who can produce sophisticated patent work while becoming an increasingly important source of judgment, leadership, and leverage within the firm. The firm is deliberately building a practice that combines sophisticated work, high standards, exceptional client service, modern technology and systems, meaningful professional development, and a sustainable approach to high performance. As a growing boutique, capable attorneys don't have to disappear into a large hierarchy before they're trusted with meaningful responsibility. This is an opportunity for someone who wants not only to practice sophisticated patent law, but to help shape and strengthen the practice around them.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences or chemistry discipline
- J.D. and active USPTO registration
- Approximately 3–6 years of substantive patent drafting and prosecution experience
- Experience working directly with sophisticated scientific clients and inventors
- The ability to take meaningful ownership of matters, people, and workflows
- Intellectually curious and scientifically sophisticated
- An exceptional legal and technical writer
- Comfortable communicating directly with sophisticated scientists and clients
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Capable of managing multiple matters and deadlines
- Comfortable delegating and providing clear direction
- Resourceful when the answer isn't obvious
- Receptive to rigorous feedback
- Interested in improving how work gets done—not simply completing assigned work
- Able to lead respectfully without ego
- Candidates must currently reside in the DMV area or be willing to relocate
Responsibilities
- Drafting complex patent applications
- Managing U.S. patent prosecution
- Developing and coordinating foreign prosecution strategy
- Conducting inventor interviews and invention harvesting
- Performing prior-art and patentability analysis
- Supporting patent clearance and freedom-to-operate matters
- Managing patent portfolios and advising on strategy
- Communicating directly with clients, inventors, and foreign associates
- Reviewing and overseeing work delegated to legal assistants and other team members
- Improving the workflows and systems through which legal work gets done
- Delegating effectively
- Identifying problems before they become emergencies
- Improving workflows
- Maintaining quality
- Helping less-experienced team members operate successfully
Benefits
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Reasonable billable expectations
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Commuter benefits
- Paid time off
- Mental health days
- Birthday leave
- Annual holiday break, including a half-day on Christmas Eve and firm closure through New Year's Day
- “Sunshine Fridays”/early Fridays when applicable performance targets are met
- A collaborative, respectful working environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
