ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Patent Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Foley & Lardner LLP

Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Denver, CO

$20.50 - $27.50/hr

Foley & Lardner LLP is seeking a Legal Recruiting Coordinator to execute entry-level attorney ... Coordinate and execute law student interviewing programs, patent engineer job fairs, and recruiting ...

Foley & Lardner LLP

Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.50/hr

Foley & Lardner LLP is seeking a Legal Recruiting Coordinator to execute entry-level attorney ... Coordinate and execute law student interviewing programs, patent engineer job fairs, and recruiting ...

BakerHostetler

Patent Scientist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

The Patent Scientist will work with attorneys, inventors, and clients to evaluate innovative ... Compensation The anticipated starting salary range for this entry-level position is $70,000-$75,000.

BakerHostetler

Patent Scientist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

The Patent Scientist will work with attorneys, inventors, and clients to evaluate innovative ... Compensation The anticipated starting salary range for this entry-level position is $70,000-$75,000.

AGCO

Patent Agent

North Metro, GA · On-site

Communicate findings to responsible attorneys. Compliance & Documentation * Maintain accurate ... Experience preparing or prosecuting patent applications (internship, coop, or entrylevel experience ...

AGCO

Patent Agent

Hesston, KS · On-site

Communicate findings to responsible attorneys. Compliance & Documentation * Maintain accurate ... Experience preparing or prosecuting patent applications (internship, coop, or entrylevel experience ...

Jobot

Construction Law Attorney

Evansville, IN · On-site +1

$100K - $175K/yr

... entry-level attorneys prepared to develop their skills within our firm. Although the ideal hire ... Prepare and draft legal documents such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPatent Attorney JobsEntry Level Patent Attorney Jobs

Entry Level Patent Attorney information

See salary details

$67K

$149.4K

$259.5K

How much do entry level patent attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level patent attorney in the United States is $149,437.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,000.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Patent Attorney vs Patent Agent?

AspectEntry Level Patent AttorneyPatent Agent
Required CredentialsLaw degree, Patent Bar exam, State Bar admissionPatent Bar exam, no law degree required
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, patent officesPatent law firms, corporate R&D departments, patent offices
Industry UsageLegal representation, patent prosecution, litigationPatent prosecution, application drafting, client advising

Entry Level Patent Attorneys typically hold a law degree and are licensed to practice law, allowing them to handle legal aspects of patent cases, including litigation. Patent Agents, on the other hand, focus on patent prosecution and drafting but are not licensed attorneys. Both roles often work in similar environments and industries, but their credentials and legal authority differ.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level patent attorneys during their first year on the job?

Entry level patent attorneys often find the transition challenging due to the steep learning curve associated with mastering patent law, understanding technical inventions, and learning firm-specific procedures. They may also need to quickly develop strong research, drafting, and communication skills to effectively interact with inventors and supervisors. Balancing billable hour requirements with quality work, as well as adapting to feedback from senior attorneys, is also a common hurdle. However, most firms offer mentorship and training to help new attorneys overcome these challenges and grow professionally.

What does an entry level patent attorney do?

An entry level patent attorney assists clients with securing legal protection for their inventions and intellectual property. Their responsibilities typically include drafting and filing patent applications, conducting prior art searches, and communicating with clients and patent examiners. They may also help respond to office actions from patent offices and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Entry level patent attorneys often work under the supervision of more experienced attorneys while gaining practical experience in patent law.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level patent attorney?

To thrive as an Entry Level Patent Attorney, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to a state bar, and a technical background in science or engineering are generally required. Familiarity with patent databases (such as USPTO systems), legal research tools like LexisNexis or Westlaw, and patent drafting software is typically used in this role. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective written and verbal communication skills help individuals excel when interpreting complex inventions and interacting with clients or examiners. These competencies are vital to ensure accurate patent applications, legal compliance, and successful client representation.
More about Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Patent Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Patent Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs are:
Entry Level Patent Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Patent Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,437 per year, or $71.8 per hour.

Entry Level Patent Agent/Technical Specialist

Barnes & Thornburg

Indianapolis, IN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Barnes & Thornburg rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 34 rated law firms

Job description

Patent Agent Or Technical Specialist

Barnes & Thornburg seeks a Patent Agent or Technical Specialist with a strong background in deep AI concepts to support our growing needs across multiple practices. We offer the opportunity to work on innovative projects in artificial intelligence within a collaborative team environment focused on next-generation technology. This position can be based in either our Chicago, Indianapolis, or Minneapolis offices, and recent graduates of local schools are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering; a Master's degree is preferred
  • Prior coursework or practical experience (two to three years preferred) in deep AI is a significant asset, technical capability is our highest priority
  • Must demonstrate strong academic achievement, initiative, good character, and interpersonal skills
  • Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or intent to sit for the patent bar within 12 months of being hired as a technical specialist

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications in technology-driven industries
  • Support the development and management of patent portfolios
  • Conduct technical research and analysis related to inventions, prior art, and patentability
  • Communicate technical concepts clearly for legal documentation and correspondence
  • Collaborate with attorneys, clients and inventors to understand and protect innovative ideas
  • Stay current on advancements in deep AI concepts, including review of relevant white papers

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran's status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.

What Barnes & Thornburg employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply