Patent Attorney

Mid-level Patent Attorney - Post-Grant Proceedings We are a boutique intellectual property law firm based in Washington, D.C., built at the intersection of science and legal strategy -- founded by a scientist-turned-patent attorney and focused exclusively on the biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials sectors. Our team brings deep scientific fluency and partner-level attention to every matter, serving innovators ranging from early-stage startups to large multinational companies with services spanning patent prosecution, portfolio development, freedom-to-operate analysis, risk assessment, trademarks, and IP licensing. We act as a dedicated external IP partner for clients who need the expertise and oversight of an in-house team without the overhead of building one. And because we believe exceptional work stems from clarity and well-being, we have built a culture that supports our people with half-day Fridays year-round, quarterly mental health days, birthday leave, and a firmwide holiday closure -- so that both ideas and people can thrive. Position Overview We are seeking a Mid-level Patent Attorney with strong experience in complex patent matters to support a growing practice focused on life sciences and pharmaceuticals. The successful candidate will draft and manage patent prosecution and post-grant proceedings, collaborate with inventors and cross-functional teams to protect and commercialize innovations, build and improve internal workflows, and operate as an internal leader. Key Responsibilities Prepare, draft, and prosecute patent applications for chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical inventions in the U.S. and internationally. Respond to office actions and examiner communications; develop and execute prosecution strategies to advance claims and secure broad protection. Conduct patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity, and infringement analyses and prepare formal written opinions for clients. Advise clients on trademark, trade secret, and other IP protection strategies; support portfolio development and maintenance, including docketing and renewals. Work closely with inventors, research teams, and business stakeholders to translate technical discoveries into robust IP claims. Coordinate foreign filings and work with outside counsel on international prosecution and prosecution strategy. Provide litigation support, including preparing infringement/invalidity contentions and technical analyses when required; assist with licensing and transactional IP matters. Mentor and supervise junior attorneys and technical staff; review work product to ensure quality and consistency. Maintain strong client relationships, manage multiple matters and deadlines, and communicate complex technical and legal concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to practice in at least one U.S. state; active USPTO registration (Patent Bar) required or currently eligible. Advanced technical degree in Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or related field (MS/PhD) required, with the ability to understand and analyze complex scientific data. 2+ years of patent prosecution experience, preferably in chemistry, biotechnology, life sciences, or pharmaceuticals. Experience with drafting patent applications, preparing office action responses, and managing prosecution across jurisdictions (U.S., PCT, and foreign filings). Strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to provide clear, practical legal guidance to clients and inventors. Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a team environment. Preferred: supervisory/leadership experience, experience in pharmaceutical regulatory or drug development context. Benefits Reasonable billable expectations Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401(k) and commuter benefits Mental health days + birthday leave Early Fridays when targets are met A collaborative, respectful team environment ...and more! #J-18808-Ljbffr CyberCoders