Overview
A fast-paced corporate environment is seeking a passionate and driven attorney with 3-5 years of experience in patent law and licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent Office. This role involves protecting intellectual property rights by drafting and prosecuting patent applications, contributing technical expertise and legal acumen to safeguard innovations and inventions.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and prosecute patent applications before the USPTO and foreign patent offices, including utility and design matters.
- Collaborate with inventors and technical experts to understand inventions and translate technical subject matter into precise, defensible patent specifications.
- Conduct prior art searches and patentability assessments to inform filing strategies.
- Analyze patent portfolios, perform freedom-to-operate analyses, and evaluate infringement risks to support business decisions.
- Support intellectual property due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, licensing negotiations, and other transactional matters.
- Assist with patent litigation matters, including collaboration with litigation counsel and expert witnesses.
- Advise on patent strategy, portfolio management, and risk aligned with broader business objectives.
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience as a patent attorney.
- Proficiency in drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
Licenses
- License to practice law and admission to the US Patent Bar.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong communication and technical skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to solve practical problems and manage complex situations.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to track and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with inventors, clients, and colleagues.
- Strong knowledge of US and international patent law.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Travel
- Occasional travel may be required.
Preferred Competencies
- Familiarity with patent portfolio management and intellectual property strategy development.
- Experience making patent submission processes easy for engineering contributors.
- Client-facing experience with the ability to align IP strategy with business objectives.
- Strong written and oral communication skills for advising both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple matters under deadline.
- Self-starter with persistence, goal-setting ability, and risk-taking to accomplish objectives.
- Demonstrates trustworthiness, respectfulness, accountability, and professionalism under pressure.
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive pay with opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with FSA/HSA options.
- 401(k) savings program with company match.
- 10 paid holidays and paid time off for work/life balance.
- Educational assistance for continuing education or skill development.
- Employee referral bonus program.
- Discounts on company products for employees and their families.
Location
The position is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a global presence across multiple facilities and continents.