Supreme Court & Appellate Associate – Patent Appeals & IP
About The Position
Orrick has one of the nation’s leading appellate practices. Orrick attorneys have successfully briefed and argued hundreds of appeals in courts at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court, every federal court of appeals, and numerous state courts. Our deep bench of appellate talent is one of the finest in the country, with former Supreme Court and court of appeals clerks, appellate counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, leaders in the legal non-profit sector, and law school faculty. In 2023, Orrick was named Law360's Appellate Group of the Year. We are also recognized by the leading global legal directories — Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US — and have become a destination for bet-the-company and industry-changing appeals. Our nationally recognized Supreme Court & Appellate practice is seeking a lateral associate with a strong background in patent appeals and intellectual property. We are looking for candidates who have both an uncompromising dedication to excellence and a desire to work on the highest profile cases in a collegial, informal, diverse, and team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious about and experienced in handling complex technical subject matter across the high-tech and life-sciences industries. Our appellate practice includes a busy docket of bet-the-company and industry-changing appeals, as well as a market leading “appellate eyes at trial” practice focusing on key motions and issue preservation at the trial court level.
Requirements
- J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
- Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.
- 2–7 years of experience in appellate litigation, with a focus on patent and IP appeals.
- Prior clerkship experience, especially with the Federal Circuit or a district court with a significant patent docket.
- Demonstrated experience drafting appellate briefs and substantive motions in patent or IP matters.
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to distill complex technical and legal issues into clear, persuasive arguments.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
- Commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with life-sciences patent matters (including with Hatch-Waxman, BPCIA, or direct-competitor cases) ideal but not required.
Responsibilities
- Focus on Federal Circuit patent appeals, patent cases in an “appellate eyes” capacity, and other IP cases in the high-tech and life-sciences sectors.
- Draft appellate briefs, petitions for certiorari, amicus briefs, and other important legal filings.
- Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis on complex patent-law and IP issues.
- Assist in developing appellate strategy and identifying key legal arguments.
- Collaborate with trial teams to preserve appellate issues and develop records for appeal.
- Prepare for and participate in moot courts and oral argument preparation.
- Advise clients on appellate procedure, potential outcomes, and strategic considerations.
- Engage deeply with technical subject matter.
Benefits
- We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits; health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program.
- This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
