Mid-Level Patent Attorney (Life Sciences / Chemistry)

Hylton-Rodic Law • Washington, DC

6h • Remote

About The Position

This is a leverage role for a solid patent attorney who is tired of producing work with no influence, working in broken systems they can’t fix, or managing chaos without authority. This opportunity allows the individual to step into a role where they build, lead, and scale. The role operates as both a high-level contributor and internal leader, responsible for drafting and prosecuting complex patent matters, handling client communication and relationship support, overseeing legal assistants (workflow, deadlines, quality), building and improving internal legal workflows, and acting as the right hand to the CEO on legal operations. The role is measured on billables, realization rate, and budget targets; quality (minimal CEO revisions, zero errors); team leverage (how effectively assistants are utilized); workflow improvement (things get smoother, not messier); and reduction of CEO involvement in day-to-day legal ops. Success by 30 days involves producing work and understanding systems + team. By 60 days, managing assistants, running check-ins, and fixing friction points. By 90 days, owning legal workflows, acting as a QA layer before the CEO, and reducing CEO time spent on filings + oversight. This role is not for those who only want to produce work and not lead, have never successfully managed support staff, wait for permission instead of solving problems, resist ambiguity or evolving systems, or lack the interpersonal skills to lead respectfully.

Requirements

• Chemistry / life sciences background
• JD + Patent Bar
• Prior patent prosecution experience (multi-year)
• Demonstrated experience managing legal assistants or similar staff
• Experience improving or owning workflows (not just participating in them)
• Operator mindset—you fix things, not just flag them
• Strong communicator (clear, direct, respectful)
• Highly organized and systems-oriented
• Humble but confident—no ego, no passivity
• Comfortable in a growing, non-corporate firm

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute complex patent matters
• Handle client communication and relationship support
• Oversee legal assistants (workflow, deadlines, quality)
• Build and improve internal legal workflows
• Act as the right hand to the CEO on legal operations

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and commuter benefits
• Mental health days + birthday leave
• Reasonable billable expectations
• "Sunshine Fridays" (early Fridays when targets are met)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree