Junior/Mid-Level Patent Agent

About the role

DLA Piper is seeking a Patent Agent to join its Patent Development & Strategy practice. We are seeking an early- to mid-level Patent Agent with a Computer Science and/or Electrical Engineering background and USPTO credentials to support the continued growth of our patent development and strategy practice. This position may be based in Boston, Philadelphia, Reston, Palo Alto, or San Francisco.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications in electrical, computer, software, AI, semiconductor, and other technology-related fields.
• Collaborate with inventors and attorneys to develop patent protection strategies.
• Conduct prior art, patentability, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Support IP due diligence and portfolio management matters.
• Assist attorneys with client counseling and strategic patent matters.

Requirements

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong technical background in software, AI/ML, semiconductors, telecommunications, networking, computer architecture, or related technologies.
• Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.
• 2+ years of patent prosecution experience.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications.
• Experience preparing responses to Office Actions and conducting patentability analyses.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a law firm or in-house intellectual property environment preferred.
• Experience with due diligence, opinions, freedom-to-operate analyses, licensing, and related patent counseling work is a plus.

Skills

• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Sound business judgment and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.

Pay

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $100,000 - $160,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s geographic market location, experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications.