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Patent Litigation Associate Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

#90760 IP Litigation Attorney - multiple locations Location(s): CA, DC Salary: $260,000 to $365,000 What you will do: * Work on patent disputes involving innovative technologies * Draft pleadings ...

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Patent Litigation Associate information

What does a patent litigation associate do?

A Patent Litigation Associate is a lawyer who specializes in handling legal disputes involving patents. They work with clients to enforce or defend patent rights in court, draft legal documents, conduct research on patent laws and prior art, and assist in all stages of litigation from pre-trial investigations to trial and appeals. These associates collaborate with inventors, experts, and other attorneys to build strong cases and protect intellectual property. Their work requires a solid understanding of both law and technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a patent litigation associate?

To thrive as a Patent Litigation Associate, you need a strong background in intellectual property law, excellent legal research and writing skills, and typically a J.D. degree with bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, case management software, and sometimes a technical or scientific background are important assets. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication with clients and teams distinguish top performers. These skills ensure precise case strategy, efficient case management, and successful advocacy in complex patent disputes.

What are some common challenges faced by patent litigation associates during the discovery phase?

Patent Litigation Associates often encounter challenges in managing large volumes of technical documents and deciphering complex patent language during the discovery phase. Coordinating with clients, experts, and opposing counsel to identify relevant materials requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Balancing tight deadlines while ensuring compliance with court procedures can also be demanding, but this phase offers valuable opportunities to develop expertise in both legal analysis and technical subject matter.

What is the difference between Patent Litigation Associate vs Patent Prosecutor?

AspectPatent Litigation AssociatePatent Prosecutor
Primary FocusHandling patent disputes, lawsuits, and infringement casesPreparing and filing patent applications, securing patent rights
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, courtsPatent offices, law firms, corporate IP departments
Required CredentialsJD, bar admission, technical backgroundJD, bar admission, technical background
Industry UsageLegal disputes and litigationPatent application and portfolio management

The main difference between a Patent Litigation Associate and a Patent Prosecutor lies in their focus: the former specializes in litigating patent disputes, while the latter concentrates on obtaining and maintaining patent rights through application processes. Both roles require similar credentials and often work within the same industry sectors, but their daily tasks and career paths differ significantly.

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For Patent Litigation Associate jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Patent Litigation Associate jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Patent Litigation Associate jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Patent Litigation Associate jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Patent Litigation Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Patent Litigation Associate job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 72% In-person, 14% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

IP and Patent Litigation Associate (ITC)

Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Location:
  • Washington, D.C. (hybrid). We prefer that new hires maintain a regular in-office presence (flexible on number of times per week), but will consider remote work arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Application requirements
Due to the exciting level of interest in our firm, we are unable to individually contact all candidates to collect materials to complete applications. To submit a complete application, please ensure the following documents are included:
  • Resume
  • Recent writing sample
  • All academic transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.
Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
About the Role
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is seeking a junior Associate to join its nationally recognized U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) practice, with a focus on Section 337 investigations. This position is ideal for attorneys early in their careers who are interested in developing subject matter expertise in ITC litigation and are eager to learn through hands-on experience, close mentorship, and formal training.
Associates will work closely with experienced ITC practitioners on sophisticated matters involving cutting-edge technologies and complex intellectual property disputes. Prior ITC experience and familiarity with 19 C.F.R. and the Administrative Procedure Acts is welcome but not required-the firm is committed to training motivated attorneys who demonstrate strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail.
Responsibilities & Requirements
As an Associate in the Trial & Appellate Group, you will:
  • Support all phases of ITC Section 337 investigations, from pre-institution strategy through hearing and post-hearing briefing
  • Assist with drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and briefs before the ITC
  • Participate in fact and expert discovery, including document review and deposition preparation
  • Contribute to hearing preparation, including witness outlines and exhibit organization
  • Conduct legal research and analysis related to ITC procedure, patent law, and unfair trade practices
  • Collaborate with attorneys, technical experts, and economists on complex litigation issues
  • Gain exposure to parallel district court, PTAB, and appellate proceedings as appropriate

Requirements
  • J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school
  • Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Must be eligible to waive into the D.C. Bar or be willing and eligible to sit for the D.C. Bar exam.
  • 2-7 years of experience practicing
  • Involved with at least 5 ITC investigations
  • Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
  • Interest in litigation and international trade, particularly ITC practice
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills
  • Prior exposure to ITC proceedings, patent litigation, or administrative litigation
  • Technical background or experience working with complex technologies (e.g., EE, CS, life sciences)
  • Judicial clerkship experience
  • Demonstrated interest in intellectual property or international trade law
  • USPTO registration number desirable but not required

Working with Us
Compensation philosophy: The actual salary rate offered to candidates within that range will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, education, and the candidate's overall qualifications for the position as assessed by the firm.
Salary range
  • The good faith base salary range for this role is $235,000 to $420,000 at a 2,000 billable hour goal

Billable hours: The firm has a flexible hours program under which an Associate can request a lower billable hour goal with a commensurate salary. Under the flexible hours program, you may select a billable hour goal in the range of 1400 to 2000 hours. Associates at our firm primarily doing patent or trademark prosecution tend to select hour goals less than 2000 hours, while attorneys primarily doing litigation and/or inter partes work are more likely to select hour goals of 2000 hours.
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans in addition to virtual care services through CloseKnit
  • On-site Wellness Center in our Washington, D.C. office
    • Staffed by a Nurse Practitioner, offers firm employees and other qualified family members with a range of medical services
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care
  • Wellness program
  • Firm-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
  • Firm-paid short and long term disability insurance
  • Supplemental life insurance and supplemental AD&D coverage, supplemental long term disability insurance*, long term care insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Transportation commuter benefit program
  • Back-up childcare and family support
  • Pet insurance discount
  • Employee Assistance Program services

#LI-Hybrid
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.