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Patent Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Unified Patents

Senior Patent Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site +1

Unified Patents is again growing its legal department, and seeks to add an experienced, registered ... outside counsel Amicus curiae drafting and support; comment drafting and support Contract ...

NVIDIA Gruppe

Senior Patent Counsel

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$224K - $356K/yr

Instructing and directing Outside Counsel on patent application drafting, filing, and prosecution (domestic and foreign) to ensure compliance with NVIDIA guidelines and local laws. Making strategic ...

Foundation Medicine

Patent Counsel II

Boston, MA

The Patent Counsel II supports legal matters relating to Foundation Medicine's intellectual property portfolio, with a primary focus on next-generation sequencing technologies, molecular diagnostics ...

Alembic

Patent Counsel

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

We are seeking a tech-native Patent Attorney or Senior Patent Agent who wants to trade the billable hour for a seat at the supercomputing table. You won't be sitting in an office waiting for ...

NVIDIA Gruppe

Senior Patent Counsel

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$224K - $356K/yr

Instructing and directing Outside Counsel on patent application drafting, filing, and prosecution (domestic and foreign) to ensure compliance with NVIDIA guidelines and local laws. Making strategic ...

Globusmedical

Sr. Patent Counsel

Audubon, PA · On-site

The Senior Patent Counsel will work on a wide variety of Intellectual Property matters within the Intellectual Property Department at Globus including: Product Clearance, Patent Filing & Prosecution ...

Globus Medical

Sr. Patent Counsel

Audubon, PA · On-site

The Senior Patent Counsel will work on a wide variety of Intellectual Property matters within the Intellectual Property Department at Globus including: Product Clearance, Patent Filing & Prosecution ...

State Farm

In-House Patent Counsel

Bloomington, IL · Hybrid

This role focuses on patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling and managing outside counsel. You will work closely with internal inventors across the enterprise, IT professionals, and business ...

State Farm

In-House Patent Counsel

Bloomington, IL · On-site

This role focuses on patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling and managing outside counsel. You will work closely with internal inventors across the enterprise, IT professionals, and business ...

Merck Group

LS Patent Counsel

Burlington, MA · On-site

$147K - $220K/yr

... counseling aligned with our business objectives. Your Role: In this role, you will be an active, hands-on contributor to patent portfolio management, including drafting, filing, prosecuting, and ...

Merck Group

LS Patent Counsel

Burlington, MA · On-site

$147K - $220K/yr

... counseling aligned with our business objectives. Your Role In this role, you have an active part in patent portfolio management, including drafting, filing, prosecuting, and defending patents ...

AbbVie

Corporate Counsel-Patent

North Chicago, IL · On-site

AbbVie is searching for an in-house Counsel for our Patent Prosecution group, part of AbbVie's Intellectual Property, Transactions, and Innovation legal team. This position will support AbbVie ...

Hasbro

Patent Assistant

Boston, MA · On-site

Weekly updating and maintenance of Patent Counsel clearance spreadsheet to ensure timely completion of due diligence in advance of product tool start. Review of submitted Patent Clearances to assess ...

Lyten, Inc.

Senior Patent & IP Counsel

San Jose, CA

Lyten is seeking to hire its first Patent & IP Counsel to build and lead the company's intellectual property function, with a focus on patent strategy, hands-on drafting and prosecution, and IP ...

Lyten, Inc.

Senior Patent & IP Counsel

Lyten is seeking to hire its first Patent & IP Counsel to build and lead the company's intellectual property function, with a focus on patent strategy, hands-on drafting and prosecution, and IP ...

AbbVie

Corporate Counsel-Patent

North Chicago, IL · On-site

$141K/yr

AbbVie is searching for an in-house Counsel for our Patent Prosecution group, part of AbbVie's Intellectual Property, Transactions, and Innovation legal team. This position will support AbbVie ...

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How much do patent counsel jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for patent counsel in the United States is $25.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patent counsel?

A patent counsel is a senior level patent attorney that works in a law firm. They handle cases related to patent law, which is legal ownership protection for scientific inventors. As a patent counsel, your responsibilities vary based on your specialization. If you work in patent infringement, you act as one of your client’s lawyers to defend their property in a federal court. If your focus is in prosecution, your duties revolve around getting your client’s patent application submitted, approved, and registered. While the primary qualifications are a law degree and licensing from the state bar, most patent lawyers also have a degree in a scientific field. While this is not technically necessary, experience in science can significantly improve your analytical and debate skills for this career.

How does a patent counsel typically collaborate with research and development teams within an organization?

Patent Counsel often work closely with research and development (R&D) teams to identify inventions with commercial potential and ensure proper protection through patent filings. This collaboration involves regular meetings to discuss ongoing projects, providing guidance on patentability, and educating researchers about intellectual property considerations. By being involved early in the innovation process, Patent Counsel help streamline the patent application process and align IP strategies with business goals. Effective communication skills are essential, as translating technical concepts into legal documentation is a key part of the role.

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

To thrive as a Patent Counsel, you need a strong background in patent law, intellectual property strategy, and a technical degree (often in science or engineering), along with admission to the patent bar. Familiarity with patent management systems, legal research databases, and patent prosecution tools is standard. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively protecting innovations, navigating complex legal landscapes, and advising organizations on intellectual property matters.

What is the difference between Patent Counsel vs Patent Agent?

AspectPatent CounselPatent Agent
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, patent bar examPatent bar exam, no law degree required
Work EnvironmentLegal teams, law firms, corporate legal departmentsPatent offices, law firms, corporate R&D
Roles & ResponsibilitiesLegal advice, patent strategy, litigation supportPatent application drafting, prosecution, prior art searches

Patent Counsel typically holds a law degree and is admitted to the bar, enabling them to provide legal advice and handle patent litigation. Patent Agents, on the other hand, focus on patent prosecution and must pass the patent bar exam but do not hold a law degree. Both roles work within similar environments like law firms and corporate legal departments, but Patent Counsel often handles broader legal issues related to patents.

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Patent Counsel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patent Counsel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,600 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Senior Patent Counsel

Unified Patents

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Unified Patents is again growing its legal department, and seeks to add an experienced, registered patent attorney. Applicants should have at least 5 years of law firm or other relevant experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in particular working on ex parte reexamination proceedings, post-grant petitions (IPR, PGR), or other administrative drafting and litigation experience.
Applicants should have a strong technical background and be willing to explore diverse new technologies; experience with video codecs, coding, cryptography, compression, signals, wireless communications, or other algorithmic subject matter is a plus. Patent examination experience is a plus; clerking experience is a plus; familiarity with ongoing appellate issues affecting PTAB practice is a plus. Must be willing to work within a team, work well independently, and enjoy writing and editing. Diversity is prized in our team and among our candidates. Please be prepared to discuss the administrative matters you have been involved in and be ready to provide examples.
Duties
Managing patent office proceedings internally
Drafting, filing, and litigating patent office proceedings, e.g., ex parte reexaminations
Handling calls with decision makers
Drafting motions and briefs
Supporting senior attorneys with management of ongoing matters
Support docketing, e-filing, deposit account, budgeting, and other IP functions
Editing work product of colleagues, outside counsel
Amicus curiae drafting and support; comment drafting and support
Contract, licensing, and other legal support services
Legal writing, support, and other various legal duties
Requirements
5 years of PTAB (drafting petitions, filing, litigating, deposition) or relevant reexamination experience
State Bar and Patent Registration Examination passage
Ability to work independently and in a team
Excellent English written and oral communication skills
Preferred additional qualities
Patent Office examination experience
Algorithmic, codec, and other code-based subject matter experience
Semiconductor, analog and integrated circuit, and fabrication experience
Appellate and/or clerking experience
EE or CS undergraduate degree
Graduate Technical (MS, MA, or PhD) degree
Benefits
Aggressive, competitive benefits, with generous vacation and paid-for health insurance and profit-sharing; freedom to work from home when appropriate; maternity and paternity leave; financial support for bar associations and continuing legal education.

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