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How much do chemical lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical lawyer in the United States is $100,626.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chemical lawyer?

Chemical lawyers are legal professionals who specialize in laws and regulations related to chemicals, chemical manufacturing, and associated industries. They often deal with matters such as chemical patents, regulatory compliance (like EPA or REACH regulations), environmental law, and litigation involving chemical products or pollution. Chemical lawyers typically work with chemical companies, regulatory agencies, or law firms to ensure their clients comply with relevant legal requirements and help navigate complex issues such as intellectual property, liability, and product safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chemical lawyer?

To thrive as a Chemical Lawyer, you need a law degree, bar admission, and a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering. Familiarity with patent law databases, intellectual property management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is typical, along with certifications in patent law or related areas. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help distinguish successful professionals in this field. These skills are vital for accurately interpreting complex technical information, ensuring legal compliance, and effectively representing clients in chemical-related legal matters.

How does a chemical lawyer typically collaborate with scientists and regulatory agencies during a case?

Chemical Lawyers frequently work alongside scientists, researchers, and regulatory experts to thoroughly understand the technical aspects of chemical regulations, patents, and compliance cases. They often translate complex scientific data into legal arguments, ensuring that both legal and scientific standards are met. Regular communication with regulatory agencies, such as the EPA or FDA, is common to navigate compliance requirements and resolve disputes. This collaborative environment demands strong interdisciplinary communication skills and the ability to synthesize technical information for legal proceedings.

What is the difference between Chemical Lawyer vs Patent Attorney?

AspectChemical LawyerPatent Attorney
Required CredentialsLaw degree, State Bar licenseLaw degree, Patent Bar exam, technical degree
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporate legal departmentsPatent offices, law firms, corporate R&D
Industry UsageLegal advice on chemical regulations, compliancePatent filing, intellectual property protection
Common Search IntentLegal issues in chemicalsPatent process for chemical inventions

While both Chemical Lawyers and Patent Attorneys work within the chemical and legal industries, Chemical Lawyers focus on legal compliance, regulations, and litigation related to chemicals. Patent Attorneys specialize in securing patent rights for chemical inventions, often requiring technical degrees and passing the Patent Bar. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right legal expertise for their chemical-related needs.

What do chemical lawyers do?

Chemical lawyers specialize in legal issues related to chemicals, including regulations, compliance, and safety standards. They advise clients such as manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and environmental organizations on laws governing chemical use, handling, and disposal, often working with environmental laws and industry standards.
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Chemical Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chemical Lawyer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,626 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

2027 Summer Associate- Biotechnology & Chemical Group (Chemical Patent Prosecution)

Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox

Washington, DC • On-site

$4.3K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Sterne Kessler: 

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms dedicated to the protection, transfer and enforcement of IP rights for its clients. Based in Washington, D.C., we are a full-service IP firm offering patent litigation, patent preparation and prosecution of design and utility patents, and trademark and brand protection. Our firm culture is what sets us apart in the industry. It is the talent and dynamism of each individual that contributes to our shared success. We have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance.

Sterne Kessler’s team of attorneys and agents helps clients in the chemical industry tailor IP strategies to increase shareholder value. Our expertise includes patenting cutting-edge inventions and enabling improvements that involve new chemical entities (NCE), polymers and polymer processing technology, chemical synthesis, chemical formulations, and commercial and consumer applications of new materials. We draft patent applications (US and foreign) with an eye to commercializing products and attracting commercial investors in a wide array of industries, including analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, organic synthesis, pesticides and herbicides, nanotechnology, and much more.

What to Expect:

  • We will review and consider applications from students enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program expecting to graduate in May 2028 for our 2027 Summer Programs.
  • The 2027 Summer Program will be held in-person in our Washington, DC office from May 24 – July 30, 2027.
  • Summer associates may work-from-home 1-2 days per week.
  • Summer Associates are compensated at a rate of $4,326/week.
  • Our summer associates work on matters involving cutting-edge technologies developed by a broad range of innovative individuals and companies.
  • Your summer will include relevant work assignments, an informal mid-point and formal end-of-summer evaluation, workshops/trainings, and exposure to our team structure, all designed to reflect what life is like for an attorney at Sterne Kessler.
  • Our summers enjoy a number of social events, which allow summer associates to get to know our attorneys on a personal level. Past events have included our firm-wide crab feast, our firm-wide night at the Nationals, other DC sporting events, cooking classes, city and museum tours, and more.

To Apply:

To qualify for this Summer Associate position, you must be/have:

  • Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program and expect to graduate in May 2028.
  • Patent bar eligible with an advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, organic chemistry, pharmacology, or equivalent discipline. Industry experience preferred.
  • Stellar academic credentials.
  • Obvious interest in intellectual property and patent law, specifically in patent prosecution.   

To complete your application, please complete our application online and upload the following documents:

  • Resume.
  • Transcripts: law, undergraduate, and graduate (if applicable). We accept unofficial transcripts.
  • Writing sample: Legal writing sample preferred. If you do not have a legal writing sample, please provide a writing sample that allows us to assess your technical or persuasive writing.   
  • Cover letter (optional, but helpful to provide additional context on your expertise and interest in our firm).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the positions are filled. We encourage you to apply early. Due to the exciting level of interest in our firm, we are unable to individually contact all candidates to collect materials to complete applications. If you are unsure if your materials successfully uploaded, please email all your materials to recruiting@sternekessler.com. 

For questions, please contact Heather Molina at hmolina@sternekessler.com or 202-772-8968.

Apply