At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.
We are seeking to hire a Patent Agent to join our Houston Office's Intellectual Property practice. We are seeking a candidate with a Engineering or Physics background, and 3 years of work expereince, preferably doing patent prosecution at a law firm focused on the Oil and Gas industry.
Patent agents and Technical Specialist support lawyers on patent prosecution matters and specifically perform tasks including, but not limited to, analyzing invention disclosures, performing patent searches, drafting patent applications, preparing office action responses, and generating other documents in support of patent prosecution matters.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
- Drafting patent applications and prosecuting patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Analyzing scientific or technical documents, including previously published patent documents, to assess an invention or issued patent.
- Drafting detailed descriptions of inventions in precise legal terms (patent drafts), which form the basis for patents to be granted by patent offices in various parts of the world.
- Preparing information disclosure statements, declarations, and other patent prosecution related materials.
- Managing a U.S. and foreign patent prosecution docket such that deadlines are met.
- Conducting interviews with examiners at the USPTO.
- Keeping up to date with legal developments in the intellectual property field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree and/or advanced degree (M.S, Ph. D) in Engineering, Physics, or another related field.
- Patent Agent candidates must be admitted to practice before the USPTO.
- Experience in the oil and gas industry or other industries such as mining, industrial, chemical plants, and/or heavy equipment design
Candidates must be self-starters who possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team. We require strong academic credentials, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to providing the most responsive and highest quality client service. Candidates will work closely with experienced lawyers across the Intellectual Property platform who will provide active mentoring and opportunities to assume increasing levels of responsibility, including direct client contact, and to also participate in matters generated by global platform.
Compensation Salary $ 95,000 - $ 140,000 / year
The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, market factors and candidate’s geographic location.
ABOUT THE FIRM
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.
The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.
Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.
BENEFITS
K&L Gates offers our personnel a comprehensive suite of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time personnel include:
- Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
- Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
- Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
- 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
- Business Travel Accident Insurance
- Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
- Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
- Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)
- Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
- Parental Leave (18 weeks of which 6 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
- Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
- Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
- Employee Referral Program
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
- All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact askHR@klgates.com.
