Class of 2029 Summer Associate- Biotechnology & Chemical Group (Biotechnology Patent Prosecution)

Lawyers, Agents & Scientists • Washington, DC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is recruiting Summer Associates for its Biotechnology & Chemical Group, focused on biotechnology patent prosecution. The group drafts and prosecutes patent applications for biotechnology inventions, including diagnostics, genotyping and genomic profiling, CRISPR, PROTA, and molecular and cell biology inventions.

Summer Associates work on matters involving emerging technologies developed by innovative individuals and companies. Assignments may cover all phases of patent practice, including patent preparation and prosecution, licensing, client counseling, and litigation. The program includes relevant work assignments, an informal midpoint evaluation and a formal end-of-summer evaluation, workshops and training, and exposure to the firm’s team structure. Social events provide opportunities to meet attorneys informally.

The 2027 program runs May 24–July 30, 2027, and the 2028 program runs May 22–July 28, 2028. Both programs are in person at the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Summer Associates are expected to work from the office three to four days per week, depending on trainings and social events, and may work from home one to two days per week. Compensation is $4,326 per week.

Applicants must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school J.D. program and expect to graduate in May 2029 or May 2030 (for current part-time students). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Applicants should apply early and submit a separate application for each practice group of interest.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program and expecting to graduate in May 2029 or May 2030 (for current part-time students).
• Patent bar eligible, with an advanced degree in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, cellular biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or an equivalent discipline.
• Stellar academic credentials.
• Obvious interest in intellectual property and patent law, specifically patent prosecution.
• Submit a resume, law, undergraduate, and graduate transcripts if applicable (unofficial transcripts accepted), and a writing sample. A legal writing sample is preferred; otherwise, the sample should demonstrate technical or persuasive writing. Include a cover page disclosing any generative AI use and, if applicable, whether a professor allowed or encouraged AI use for a class assignment.

Nice To Haves

• Industry experience preferred.
• Legal writing sample preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications related to biotechnology inventions.
• Work on matters involving all phases of patent practice, including preparation, prosecution, licensing, client counseling, and litigation.
• Complete relevant work assignments and participate in workshops and training.
• Participate in an informal midpoint evaluation and a formal end-of-summer evaluation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern