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Patent Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Patent Attorney, you will play a pivotal role in protecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enabling life-changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Partnering closely with R&D ...

Hawley Troxell is seeking an attorney, with 3 plus years of experience, to join its Patent practice group in the Boise office. An existing partial or full client portfolio is preferred. Electrical ...

Description Hawley Troxell is seeking an attorney, with 3 plus years of experience, to join its Patent practice group in the Boise office. An existing partial or full client portfolio is preferred.

Hawley Troxell is seeking an attorney, with 3 plus years of experience, to join its Patent practice group in the Boise office. An existing partial or full client portfolio is preferred. Electrical ...

Description Bodman's Intellectual Property Group is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate Patent Attorney to join our growing office in Grand Rapids. Key Responsibilities In this ...

Description We seek to hire a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent to assist in developing and curating the company's battery and power management patent portfolio. You will work with the business to ...

Description We seek to hire a Patent Attorney or Patent Agent to assist in developing and curating the company's wireless communication portfolio. You will work with the business to build and ...

As we continue to expand, we are seeking a dynamic Partner-Level Patent Attorney with a book of business to help shape the future of our IP practice. Position Overview We are looking for a highly ...

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Patent Attorney information

See salary details

$67K

$149.4K

$259.5K

How much do patent attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for 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 Patent Attorney vs Patent Agent?

AspectPatent AttorneyPatent Agent
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, patent law specializationPatent bar exam, technical degree, patent law knowledge
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, corporate legal departments, law courtsPatent offices, law firms, corporate R&D departments
Employer & IndustryLegal industry, patent law firms, corporationsPatent offices, law firms, tech companies

Patent attorneys and patent agents both handle patent applications and intellectual property issues, but patent attorneys are licensed lawyers with law degrees and can represent clients in court. Patent agents are registered with the patent office and focus on patent prosecution. The choice depends on whether legal representation in court is needed or solely patent filing and prosecution services are required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Patent Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Patent Attorney, you need a robust understanding of intellectual property law, a degree in science or engineering, and admission to both a state bar and the patent bar (USPTO). Familiarity with patent databases, legal research platforms like LexisNexis, and document management systems is typically required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills help distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualifications are critical for effectively protecting clients' inventions, navigating complex legal processes, and ensuring successful patent prosecution and litigation.

What Is a Patent Attorney?

As a patent attorney, you work with clients to protect their inventions and intellectual property, ensuring that they have exclusive rights to it for a period. You may be asked to file patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to protect your client’s right to market and manufacture a product. You may also appear in court to settle disputes over patents and protect your client’s rights and profits.

What are patent attorneys?

Patent attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in intellectual property law, particularly in securing and protecting patents for inventors and organizations. They are qualified to prepare and prosecute patent applications, provide legal advice on patentability and infringement, and represent clients in patent disputes. Patent attorneys typically have both a law degree and a technical or scientific background, allowing them to understand complex inventions and navigate the legal and technical aspects of patent law.

What are some typical challenges a Patent Attorney faces when managing a diverse portfolio of clients?

Patent Attorneys often work with clients from a wide range of industries, each presenting unique technical and legal complexities. Managing a diverse portfolio requires staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies, understanding varied patent laws across jurisdictions, and effectively communicating with inventors and technical teams. Additionally, balancing multiple deadlines and prioritizing filings to protect clients' intellectual property can be demanding. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are crucial to ensure all client needs are met efficiently.
What cities are hiring for Patent Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Patent Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Patent Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Patent Attorney jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Patent Attorney jobs? The top employers for Patent Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Patent Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Patent Attorney jobs include:
Infographic showing various Patent Attorney job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 85% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,437 per year, or $71.8 per hour.
Patent Attorney

Patent Attorney

Novartis

Cambridge, MA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Novartis rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 73 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Cambridge, United States or Basel, Switzerland (see separate posting)
Ready to shape the future of innovation at Novartis? As a Patent Attorney, you will play a pivotal role in protecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enabling life-changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Partnering closely with R&D teams, you will drive strategic intellectual property decisions, build robust patent portfolios, and navigate complex legal landscapes to safeguard innovation across the product lifecycle.


Job Description

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide clear, strategic, and business-focused counsel to Novartis R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
  • Build and manage patent portfolios for Novartis R&D projects by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patent filings across areas such as new molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies, and clinical developments.
  • Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate, and develop patent strategies that strengthen IP positions, support freedom to operate, and enable effective IP defense.
  • Apply deep knowledge of national patent law and practice, including relevant legal developments and patent trends, to shape strategy and advice.
  • Understand and apply other forms of exclusivity protection, as appropriate.
  • Communicate effectively with colleagues and leaders across the legal, IP, and R&D organizations.
  • Build and manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including extensive interaction within a multicultural global patent function.
  • Conduct due diligence and provide counsel based on those assessments, including freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, risk evaluation, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Provide IP support for transactional matters, including M&A, research collaborations, and in-licensing opportunities, with advice on contract drafting and negotiation
  • Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of work aligned with business goals and budgets

Essential Requirements

  • Juris Doctor degree with admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Advanced degree in chemistry or related field, with strong preference for a doctoral degree
  • Significant experience as a patent attorney within a law firm or pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment
  • Strong technical expertise in chemistry, preferably including experience with small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development.
  • Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution practice, with a detailed understanding of European patent law and other major global patent systems
  • Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders to deliver strategic intellectual property advice
  • Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills with high attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively within a fast-paced, global environment

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $204.400 and $379.600 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis:Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network:Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up:https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards:Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally:https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards


EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.


Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.


Salary Range

$204,400.00 - $379,600.00


Skills Desired


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