Patent Appeals & Intellectual Property Associate

Job Description:

Orrick has one of the nation s leading appellate practices. Our deep bench of appellate talent is one of the finest in the country, with former Supreme Court and court of appeals clerks, appellate counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, leaders in the legal non-profit sector, and law school faculty. We are seeking a lateral associate with a strong background in patent appeals and intellectual property.

We look for candidates who have an uncompromising dedication to excellence and a desire to work on high-profile cases in a collegial, informal, diverse, and team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious about and experienced in handling complex technical subject matter across the high-tech and life-sciences industries.

Responsibilities include:

• Focusing on Federal Circuit patent appeals, patent cases in an appellate eyes capacity, and other IP cases in the high-tech and life-sciences sectors.
• Drafting appellate briefs, petitions for certiorari, amicus briefs, and other important legal filings.
• Conducting sophisticated legal research and analysis on complex patent-law and IP issues.
• Assisting in developing appellate strategy and identifying key legal arguments.
• Collaborating with trial teams to preserve appellate issues and develop records for appeal.
• Preparing for and participating in moot courts and oral argument preparation.
• Advising clients on appellate procedure, potential outcomes, and strategic considerations.
• Engaging deeply with technical subject matter.

Qualifications include:

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to at least one state bar; Federal Circuit admission preferred.
• 2- 7 years of experience in appellate litigation, with a focus on patent and IP appeals.
• Prior clerkship experience, especially with the Federal Circuit or a district court with a significant patent docket.
• Demonstrated experience drafting appellate briefs and substantive motions in patent or IP matters.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to distill complex technical and legal issues into clear, persuasive arguments.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence.
• Experience with life-sciences patent matters (including with Hatch-Waxman, BPCIA, or direct-competitor cases) ideal but not required.

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