Patent Agent Life Sciences

Job Description

Job Description

Patent Agent – Life Sciences

Locations

Boca Raton, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Greenwich, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; New Haven, Connecticut; New Jersey; New York, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; Stamford, Connecticut; Washington, DC; West Hartford, Connecticut; West Palm Beach, Florida

Direct Counsel is seeking a Patent Agent to join the Intellectual Property practice of a sophisticated East Coast–based law firm.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Patent Agent with 4+ years of experience to join a growing IP team supporting sophisticated life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device innovations . The role offers broad exposure to patent drafting, prosecution, portfolio strategy, and IP diligence , working closely with attorneys, inventors, and business teams across multiple disciplines.

The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of patent drafting and prosecution experience , with a strong focus on life sciences technologies , including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

This role is ideal for a technically sophisticated Patent Agent who enjoys translating complex scientific innovations into strong patent protection strategies and who wants meaningful involvement in portfolio management, diligence, and long-term IP counseling .

The firm offers a hybrid schedule with two remote days per week .

• Evaluate the patentability of innovations across life sciences and related technology areas
• Prepare, draft, and file U.S. patent applications
• Manage and prosecute U.S. patent applications
• Coordinate with foreign counsel on international prosecution
• Support IP due diligence and freedom-to-operate analyses
• Assist with strategic patent portfolio development and management
• Conduct legal and technical research using:
  • SciFinder
  • USPTO
  • WIPO
  • EPO
  • Other scientific and patent databases
• Collaborate with attorneys, inventors, scientists, and business teams on IP strategy
• Support interdepartmental IP initiatives and outside counsel coordination

• Minimum 4 years of patent drafting and prosecution experience
• Experience in a law firm or in-house setting
• Strong focus on:
  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical devices
  • Life sciences innovations
• Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences discipline required
• USPTO registration required , or eligibility to sit for the Patent Bar in the near term
• Strong experience using patent and scientific search tools/databases
• Ability to connect detailed scientific research with patentability and claim strategy
• Excellent organizational skills and deadline management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with mechanical or electrical patent prosecution is a plus

Base salary range: $130,000 – $170,000

Compensation will vary based on office location, experience, scientific background, and overall fit.

The ideal Patent Agent will be:

• Deeply technical with strong life sciences fluency
• A polished patent drafter and strategist
• Comfortable working directly with inventors and R&D teams
• Interested in portfolio counseling beyond routine prosecution
• Highly organized and deadline-driven
• Collaborative and team-oriented

This is an excellent opportunity for a life sciences Patent Agent seeking sophisticated prosecution and strategic portfolio work within a collaborative, growth-oriented IP platform. The broad office flexibility and strong technical focus make this particularly attractive for candidates who want national practice sophistication with geographic optionality .