Patent Agents

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Alumni Finder

With our unique client base of innovators in the life sciences and technology industries, our patents and innovations group is critically important to the firm’s long-term success.

And patent agents are a key part of that success.

Bringing critical scientific expertise and USPTO experience to our patents and innovations team, patent agents are integral to some of our most exciting technology work. Because they are in constant demand, patent agents make up almost 40 percent of our patents and innovations group’s headcount, and their continued professional development and advancement are a high priority for the firm.

Join Our Team

Office:
Multiple locations
Practice:
Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution)

Love science but tired of bench work? Interested in staying abreast of cutting edge technology but want to hang up your pipette? The Patents & Innovations Group at Wilson Sonsini is actively hiring IP specialists and patent agents with advanced degrees for open positions at offices throughout the United States. IP specialist candidates must be qualified to sit for the USPTO patent bar and are required to take and pass the exam prior to starting at the firm. LSAT and plans to attend law school strongly preferred.

Our IP specialists and patent agents collaborate closely with our patent attorneys, receiving both formal and informal training and mentorship. They have the opportunity to work with attorneys across our offices, serving both US and international clients. Our working group and firm culture values diverse perspectives, collaboration, and high-performance, while respecting work-life balance and prioritizing mentoring, training, and professional development. Relocation not available. Search firm submissions not accepted.

Office:
Multiple locations
Practice:
Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution)

The Patents and Innovations Group at Wilson Sonsini has an opening for an IP specialist or patent agent with backgrounds in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), or related disciplines. Previous law firm or industry experience is a plus. Responsibilities include working with the firm’s clients in all aspects of patent prosecution, including in evaluating invention disclosures, preparing and prosecuting patent applications, conducting landscape studies including analyzing third party patents.

Our patent agents collaborate closely with our patent attorneys, receiving both formal and informal training and mentorship. They have the opportunity to work with attorneys across our offices, serving both US and international clients. Our working group and firm culture values diverse perspectives, collaboration, and high-performance, while respecting work-life balance and prioritizing mentoring, training, and professional development. Relocation not available. Search firm submissions not accepted. IP specialist candidates must be qualified to sit for the USPTO patent bar and are required to take and pass the exam prior to starting at the firm. LSAT and plans to attend law school strongly preferred.

Office:
Beijing
Practice:
Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution)

We currently have openings for attorneys or IP Specialists in China with at least a masters level degree in biology, chemistry, bioengineering, or similar life sciences field. An exposure to a wide array of technologies is strongly preferred. Candidates must have a license to practice before State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”) and at least 3 years of experience in patent prosecution. Experience in appeal and invalidation proceedings is strongly preferred. Candidates must be fluent in both English and Mandarin with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages. We will consider candidates who are attorneys or patent agents. Responsibilities include working with the firm's clients and counsel in all aspects of the patent practice, including assisting in evaluating invention disclosures, drafting patent specifications and claims, preparing and prosecuting applications, and working on proceedings in the State Intellectual Property Office.

More Opportunities

If you would like to submit an application to Wilson Sonsini, but do not see an active posting for the office or practice you are interested in, please apply here.

Did you know?

There are more than 20 participants in Wilson Sonsini’s Patent Agent Law School Program (PALS) at any given time.

View Points
Lori P. Westin
Partner
Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution)
San Diego

Patent agents are our lifeblood in the firm and especially in our patents and innovations group. Not only do they come in and they bring in new scientific expertise, they also help us to be able to do the work that we can in order to service our small clients, our entrepreneurial clients. 

At other firms, patent agents usually stay in the background. But not at this firm. We put them front and center before clients.

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