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Patent Prosecution Associate Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Summary Stinson LLP is seeking an experienced patent agent to join the patent prosecution group of ... Coordinate and correspond with foreign law firms and associates to file foreign patent applications.

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Patent Prosecution Associate information

See Washington salary details

$103.1K

$171.2K

$342.6K

How much do patent prosecution associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for patent prosecution associate in Washington is $171,173.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,300.00 and $231,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Patent Prosecution Associate, you need a solid background in patent law, a technical degree (often in science or engineering), and membership in a state bar and the USPTO. Familiarity with patent management software, legal research tools like LexisNexis, and electronic filing systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent written communication set top performers apart in this field. These skills ensure precise, effective patent applications and responses, safeguarding clients' intellectual property rights in a competitive landscape.

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

AspectPatent Prosecution AssociatePatent Litigation Associate
Required CredentialsJD, Patent Bar, technical degreeJD, Patent Bar (optional), technical degree
Work EnvironmentPatent offices, law firms, R&D departmentsCourts, law firms, corporate legal teams
Industry UsagePatent prosecution, IP lawPatent disputes, IP litigation

Patent Prosecution Associates focus on preparing and filing patent applications, working closely with patent examiners. Patent Litigation Associates handle patent disputes in court, focusing on defending or challenging patent rights. Both roles require technical expertise and legal knowledge but differ in their daily tasks and work settings.

What are the typical collaboration opportunities for a patent prosecution associate within a law firm?

As a Patent Prosecution Associate, you will frequently collaborate with partners, inventors, and technical experts to draft and prosecute patent applications. You'll also work closely with clients' in-house counsel to understand their business goals and ensure alignment with their intellectual property strategies. Additionally, associates often coordinate with litigation teams on matters that may require technical input or prior art analysis, fostering a dynamic and multidisciplinary work environment.

What does a patent prosecution associate do?

A Patent Prosecution Associate is a legal professional who assists clients in obtaining patents by preparing, filing, and managing patent applications with the relevant patent offices. They work closely with inventors and engineers to understand inventions, draft patent claims, and respond to office actions or objections from patent examiners. Their role also involves conducting prior art searches, analyzing patentability, and advising clients on patent strategy to maximize protection and value. Typically, Patent Prosecution Associates work at law firms or in-house legal departments with a focus on intellectual property law.
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Infographic showing various Patent Prosecution Associate job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,173 per year, or $82.3 per hour.

2027 Summer Associate- Electronics Group (Patent Prosecution)

Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

$4.3K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

About Sterne Kessler:ย 

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms dedicated to the protection, transfer and enforcement of IP rights for its clients. Based in Washington, D.C., we are a full-service IP firm offering patent litigation, patent preparation and prosecution of design and utility patents, and trademark and brand protection. Our firm culture is what sets us apart in the industry. It is the talent and dynamism of each individual that contributes to our shared success. We have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance.

The Electronics Group is experienced in optimizing IP protection, technology transfer and counseling for innovators in the electronics industry. Our IP professionals provide counsel in a variety of sectors such as: artificial intelligence/neural networks, electromechanical devices, sensor technologies, biomedical systems and devices, wireless and telephonic communications, semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing, computer networking, and much more.

What to Expect:

  • We will review and consider applications from students enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program expecting to graduate in May 2028 for our 2027 Summer Programs.
  • The 2027 Summer Program will be held in-person in our Washington, DC office from May 24 โ€“ July 30, 2027.
  • Summer associates may work-from-home 1-2 days per week.
  • Summer Associates are compensated at a rate of $4,326/week.
  • Our summer associates work on matters involving cutting-edge technologies developed by a broad range of innovative individuals and companies.
  • Your summer will include relevant work assignments, an informal mid-point and formal end-of-summer evaluation, workshops/trainings, and exposure to our team structure, all designed to reflect what life is like for an attorney at Sterne Kessler.
  • Our summers enjoy a number of social events, which allow summer associates to get to know our attorneys on a personal level. Past events have included our firm-wide crab feast, our firm-wide night at the Nationals, other DC sporting events, cooking classes, city and museum tours, and more.

To Apply:

To qualify for this Summer Associate position, you must be/have:

  • Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program and expect to graduate in May 2028.
  • Patent bar eligible with a bachelorโ€™s degree in electrical engineering, physics, computer engineering, computer science, mathematics, or equivalent discipline; Advanced degrees and/or industry experience preferred.
  • Stellar academic credentials.
  • Obvious interest in intellectual property and patent law, specifically in patent prosecution.ย  ย 

To complete your application, please complete our application online and upload the following documents:

  • Resume.
  • Transcripts: law, undergraduate, and graduate (if applicable). We accept unofficial transcripts.
  • Writing sample: Legal writing sample preferred. If you do not have a legal writing sample, please provide a writing sample that allows us to assess your technical or persuasive writing.ย  ย 
  • Cover letter (optional, but helpful to provide additional context on your expertise and interest in our firm)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the positions are filled. We encourage you to apply early. Due to the exciting level of interest in our firm, we are unable to individually contact all candidates to collect materials to complete applications. If you are unsure if your materials successfully uploaded, please email all your materials to recruiting@sternekessler.com.ย 

For questions, please contact Heather Molina at hmolina@sternekessler.com or 202-772-8968.