Junior​/Mid-Level Patent Agent

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

DLA Piper is seeking a Patent Agent to join its Patent Development & Strategy practice. We are seeking an early- to mid-level Patent Agent with a Computer Science and/or Electrical Engineering background and USPTO credentials to support the continued growth of our patent development and strategy practice. This position may be based in Boston, Philadelphia, Reston, Palo Alto, or San Francisco.

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong technical background in software, AI/ML, semiconductors, telecommunications, networking, computer architecture, or related technologies.

• Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.

• 2+ years of patent prosecution experience.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications.
• Experience preparing responses to Office Actions and conducting patentability analyses.
• Prior experience in a law firm or in-house intellectual property environment preferred.
• Experience with due diligence, opinions, freedom-to-operate analyses, licensing, and related patent counseling work is a plus. (Adapted from existing Patent Agent and Patent Development & Strategy attorney postings.)

• Draft and prosecute patent applications in electrical, computer, software, AI, semiconductor, and other technology-related fields.
• Collaborate with inventors and attorneys to develop patent protection strategies.
• Conduct prior art, patentability, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Support IP due diligence and portfolio management matters.
• Assist attorneys with client counseling and strategic patent matters.

• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Sound business judgment and problem-solving abilities

All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
• Comply with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.

Sedentary work:
This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.

The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion

• Opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements…