Intellectual Property Attorney – Technology Transactions (Life Sciences)

Direct Counsel is seeking a Mid-Level Intellectual Property Associate with 3–6 years of licensing, collaboration, and commercial partnering experience to join a growing Life Sciences Technology Transactions practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney with substantial law firm experience representing biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in sophisticated transactions involving the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and digital health technologies.

Locations

• Boston, MA
• New York, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• Santa Monica, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Silicon Valley, CA
• Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

• Represent biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences companies in sophisticated technology transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex licensing, collaboration, and commercial partnering agreements.
• Advise clients on transactions involving the licensing and commercialization of patents and other intellectual property.
• Counsel biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on collaborations designed to advance:
  • Novel therapeutics
  • Vaccines
  • Diagnostic technologies
  • Digital health technologies
• Support transactions involving technologies progressing through clinical trials and toward FDA regulatory approval.
• Work closely with founders and emerging companies developing cutting-edge life sciences technologies.
• Negotiate complex standalone commercial transactions involving intellectual property and technology assets.
• Collaborate with attorneys across corporate, intellectual property, regulatory, and other practice areas.
• Advise clients on the intellectual property and commercial considerations associated with strategic partnerships and technology development.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of relevant transactional experience.
• Substantial law firm experience with licensing, collaboration, and commercial partnering transactions.
• Experience representing biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical companies.
• Experience with transactions involving patent licensing and life sciences technologies.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property and commercial contract principles.
• Superior academic credentials.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage sophisticated and fast-moving transactions.
• Must be admitted in the jurisdiction of the applicable office or eligible to sit for or waive into the next available bar examination.

Preferred Experience

Experience working with AI-native or AI-driven biotechnology companies is a plus, particularly companies using artificial intelligence or machine learning in:

• Drug discovery
• Diagnostics
• Biotechnology research
• Life sciences R&D

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $260,000–$390,000, depending on experience, qualifications, credentials, and location.
• Discretionary performance-based bonus for eligible attorneys.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Wellbeing benefits.

Application Materials

Candidates should be prepared to provide:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Law school transcript

Why This Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of intellectual property, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and emerging technology. Associates will work closely with founders and sophisticated life sciences companies on complex transactions that can play a significant role in bringing new therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and digital health technologies from development through commercialization.

The practice also provides exposure to the rapidly developing intersection of AI and life sciences, making this particularly attractive for attorneys interested in both traditional life sciences transactions and emerging technology.

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.