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Intellectual Property Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

A highly regarded Orange County law firm is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property Docketing Specialist to support a sophisticated Intellectual Property practice. This role is responsible for ...

A highly regarded Orange County law firm is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property Docketing Specialist to support a sophisticated Intellectual Property practice. This role is responsible for ...

Intellectual Property Counsel

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

Company Description Arista Networks is seeking an Intellectual Property Attorney to join its legal team. A successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of Arista's intellectual property ...

Intellectual Property Counsel

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

Intellectual Property Counsel

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

This role will be directly report to a Director, Intellectual Property. As a member of the IP Team, you will be responsible for providing guidance on a wide range of IP legal matters related to the ...

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Intellectual Property information

See California salary details

$50.8K

$118.3K

$195.4K

How much do intellectual property jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for intellectual property in California is $118,307.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,200.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Intellectual Property vs Patent Examiner?

AspectIntellectual PropertyPatent Examiner
CredentialsLegal, technical, or patent law backgroundEngineering or technical degree, patent law knowledge
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporations, government agenciesPatent offices, government agencies
Industry UsageBroadly used across industries for rights managementSpecific to patent application review

Intellectual Property is a broad field encompassing rights like patents, trademarks, and copyrights, while a Patent Examiner specializes in reviewing patent applications within the patent system. The examiner's role is focused on assessing patentability, whereas Intellectual Property professionals manage and strategize across various rights. Both roles require technical or legal credentials and are integral to protecting innovations in various industries.

What is an intellectual property professional?

Intellectual Property (IP) professionals are experts who help individuals and organizations protect, manage, and enforce their intellectual property rights. These rights include patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. IP professionals may work as attorneys, agents, consultants, or in-house specialists, providing legal advice, filing applications, conducting searches, and handling disputes. Their work ensures that creators and inventors can safeguard their innovations and creative works from unauthorized use.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an intellectual property professional?

To thrive as an Intellectual Property professional, you need a strong understanding of patent, trademark, and copyright laws, often supported by a law degree or specialized IP certification. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases like USPTO or EPO, and legal research tools is essential. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you effectively protect and advocate for intellectual assets. These competencies are crucial for navigating complex legal frameworks, advising clients, and ensuring robust IP protection in a competitive market.

What are common challenges faced by intellectual property professionals?

Professionals in Intellectual Property (IP) roles often navigate complex legal frameworks and must stay updated on evolving laws and international treaties. A typical challenge is balancing the protection of innovations with ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, coordinating with inventors, legal teams, and business stakeholders requires strong communication and project management skills. Managing tight deadlines, especially for patent or trademark filings, is also a frequent aspect of the role.

What careers involve intellectual property law?

Careers involving intellectual property law include patent attorneys, trademark attorneys, copyright lawyers, and IP consultants. These professionals typically hold law degrees, specialize in IP law, and may pass the patent bar exam or obtain relevant certifications to practice in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Intellectual Property jobs in California?

The most popular types of Intellectual Property jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Intellectual Property jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Intellectual Property jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Intellectual Property jobs?

Cities in California with the most Intellectual Property job openings:

Infographic showing various Intellectual Property job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,307 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

Socket.dev

Culver City, CA โ€ข On-site

$230 - $360/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Apple is seeking a Sr. IP Counsel to help drive IP strategy and negotiations on behalf of its engineering groups and business units. You will handle cutting-edge intellectual property issues, working closely with other legal professionals and senior Apple executives. This includes transactions covering all forms of intellectual property, technology licenses and development agreements, IP dispute resolution, and IP licensing. Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Do you possess a passion for strategic thinking? Working for a company that invents entire categories and industries means you'll dive deep into understanding technologies that the public won't know about for years to come, and be challenged to creatively apply your deep legal expertise to rare and often unexplored aspects of the law. We are looking for brilliant IP strategist and negotiator with great judgment and a demonstrated ability to manage the day-to-day progress of complex disputes and negotiations. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who already has the experience needed to hit the ground running.

Description

As a key attorney in Apple's Intellectual Property Licensing and Litigation team, you will partner closely with Apple engineers and executives to solve thorny problems. You will personally be formulating and driving strategy as well as working with a number of cross-functional teams and stakeholders across all product areas. The position requires the ability to figure things out independently, and a relentless focus on how every decision affects Apple shareholder value. You will operate as part of a supportive and fun team of lawyers, legal specialists and support staff who work closely together to protect Apple's interests.

Minimum Qualifications
  • At least 8-10 years experience in both technology licensing and pure IP licensing, including in nine- or ten-figure transactions.
  • Trained in complex IP negotiations at a major technology industry law firm, at a Fortune 100 company, or both.
  • Expertise in every form of intellectual property, including patent law, copyright law, trademark law, trade secret law, and others.
  • JD or equivalent and admission to at least one US state bar.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related discipline strongly preferred.
  • Deep and intuitive understanding of the key intellectual property strategies of Fortune 50 Silicon Valley companies.
  • Able to parse and understand a single sentence that's three pages long, with flawless accuracy.
  • At least some familiarity with the differences in intellectual property law between the legal systems of other major industrialized nations.
  • A lifelong passion for technology.
  • Patent prosecution or intellectual property litigation experience.
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