Job Description
Job Description
Patent Litigation Associate – IP/Patent - MID LEVEL - Ideally Class of 2020 to 2024
Our client a #1 Patent Litigation Practice in the country, is seeking a mid-level associate (classes 2020–2024) with a STEM degree.
Ideally computer science or electrical engineering—and substantive patent litigation experience at a top firm.
You should be comfortable working on cutting-edge technology cases with lean teams and have a track record of taking on real responsibility early.
Bonus points if you have standup/trial experience and can combine deep technical knowledge with excellent legal writing.
Seniority
2 - 6 years of experience 2-6 years of patent litigation experience (class years 2020-2024)
Work experience
Substantive patent litigation at a strong firm
District court, ITC, or PTAB patent experience
Claim construction, discovery, and motion practice reps
Trial team experience or deposition involvement
Pharma/Hatch-Waxman litigation experience
Education
J.D. from T14 or strong national law school
STEM undergraduate or graduate degree (CS/EE highest priority)
Top law school grades
Advanced STEM degree (Ph.D. or M.S.)
Hard skills
Strong legal writing ability
Deep technical fluency in CS, EE, or life sciences
USPTO registration (patent bar admission)
Soft skills
Self-directed drive; thrives without hand-holding
Entrepreneurial mindset suited to free-market staffing
Standup/oral advocacy skills for trial work
What you'll do:
- Handle patent litigation matters across the full lifecycle—district court, ITC Section 337 investigations, PTAB proceedings (IPRs), and Federal Circuit appeals
- Take ownership of claim construction and Markman briefing, dispositive motions, and Daubert challenges on complex technology cases
- Work closely with technical experts and cross-office trial teams on matters involving semiconductors, computer architecture, wireless/cellular standards, software, life sciences, and pharma
- Conduct and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses in high-stakes patent disputes
- Lead trial preparation workstreams and gain real trial exposure—this is a firm that tries cases, not a settlement shop
- Manage fact and expert discovery on leanly-staffed teams representing the world's leading technology and life-sciences companies
About the firm and culture:
Our client is the largest litigation-only firm in the world and the No. 1-ranked patent litigation practice in the country. IP is our biggest practice area, and 80%+ of it is patents. We operate a free-market staffing model—no central assignment system—which means associates build relationships with partners and pull their own work. You'll work hard, but on the most interesting cases and clients in the field, with more responsibility and earlier substantive work than peer firms offer. No formal billable requirement; minimum bonus tier is 1,800 hours.
Responsibilities
- Work on patent disputes across the full litigation lifecycle
- Engage in district court litigation and ITC Section 337 investigations
- Participate in PTAB proceedings and Federal Circuit appeals
- Handle claim construction and Markman work
- Conduct fact and expert discovery
- Collaborate with technical experts
- Engage in dispositive and Daubert motion practice
- Prepare for and support trials
· Above-market comp with no formal billable requirement.
· The firm pays Cravath-scale base ($225K–$435K depending on class year) plus a genuinely above-market discretionary bonus.
· Bonus eligibility starts at just 1,800 hours — and there's no minimum billable target beyond that.
· Hybrid work policy