Design Patent Assistant; Entry-Level

Who are we?

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 this possible.

Accordingly, 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.

We are looking for motivated entry‑level candidates to join our firm as a Design Assistant in our Mechanical & Design group. Successful Design Assistants love to dive into details and enthusiastically perform administrative duties. We are looking for a candidate that can join us in the next month so the role is not appropriate for candidates with a Spring 2026 graduation date.

Design Assistants should be willing to work hybrid schedules from the DC metro area.

• Maintaining an in-depth knowledge of USPTO rules, firm procedures and policies, and established client guidelines to determine necessary action to be taken in design patent applications in response to docketed deadlines and incoming correspondence.
• Timely complete assigned tasks, and/or to create and proactively monitor projects and tasks to ensure compliance with firm and/or client Service Level Agreements.
• Exercising excellent attention to detail, professional judgment, and initiative in following firm second‑eye policies when communicating with clients and preparing responsive documents to assure timeliness and that work product consistently meets the highest levels of quality.
• Assisting and supporting attorneys, patent agents, and Design Paralegals who are ultimately responsible for the legal patent services being provided to clients.
• Demonstrating ownership of assigned matters, working collaboratively with others when needed, and working at other times independently with little needed supervision.
• Handling electronic filings of documents with the USPTO, including assisting with the preparation and filing of patent applications, amendments, briefs, pleadings, petitions, memoranda, and other correspondence, including formatting, proofing, and editing of same.
• Preparing checklists, formal documents, cover letters, USPTO forms, information disclosure statements (IDS’s), and other documents traditionally prepared by patent secretaries.
• Reviewing and reporting to the client all correspondence received from the USPTO.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Some office, law firm, and/or IP experience is preferred.
• Art and/or design experience a plus, but not required.
• Ability to work in a highly detail-oriented and deadline-driven environment.
• Computer proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office and other software.
• Stellar verbal and written communication skills.
• Interest in a minimum 2-year commitment to the position.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.