What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patent Agent or Technical Advisor - Electrical Engineering (Seattle, WA; Palo Al position at Dorsey & Whitney LLP?
Dorsey's Patent group is seeking a Patent Agent or Technical Advisor with fluency in Japanese and one to five years of patent prosecution experience to be located in our Seattle, Palo Alto, Denver, or Salt Lake City offices. Patent bar-eligible candidates with the right technology background and writing experience will also be considered. The ideal candidate will have a passion for understanding and writing about electrical technologies, including circuit and logic designs, semiconductor structures and fabrication processes, and artificial intelligence. All relevant technical backgrounds will be considered. Strong academic credentials and USPTO admission or eligibility are required.
In this role you will:
- Conduct inventor interviews in preparation for drafting original patent applications.
- Draft patent applications and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) and foreign jurisdictions via communications with local counsel.
- Prepare office action responses for local and international patent applications.
- File documents with the USPTO when required.
- Perform patent searches, analyze invention disclosures, scientific or technical documents, and review issued patents in order to evaluate patent specific issues such as patentability and validity.
- Conduct freedom to operate searches, competitive landscape searches, and review prior art.
- Manage a U.S. and foreign patent prosecution docket such that deadlines are met.
- Conduct interviews with examiners at the USPTO.
- Work closely with our collaborative team of attorneys, agents, paralegals, and legal assistants to ensure excellence in client service at all times.
What we're looking for:
- One to five years of agent/advisor experience.
- At least a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
- Strong academic performance.
- Fluent in Japanese.
Preferred:
- USPTO admission.
We are looking for the right person, not just the right resume or experience level. Collegiality and teamwork are highly valued, and broad skills and curiosity can be as important as a specific technical degree.
About Dorsey:
Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.
Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17 hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey's benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)
One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:
- Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
- Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
- 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
- Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
- Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)
Reasonable Accommodations:
Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.
How to Apply:
Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the "Careers" section of the Dorsey website at www.dorsey.com/staffjobs and complete Dorsey's online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.
The pay range for this position in Seattle, Denver or Palo Alto is an annual salary of $90,000 to $185,000.
This range represents Dorsey's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated.
Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through December 31, 2025.
In this role you will:
- Conduct inventor interviews in preparation for drafting original patent applications.
- Draft patent applications and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) and foreign jurisdictions via communications with local counsel.
- Prepare office action responses for local and international patent applications.
- File documents with the USPTO when required.
- Perform patent searches, analyze invention disclosures, scientific or technical documents, and review issued patents in order to evaluate patent specific issues such as patentability and validity.
- Conduct freedom to operate searches, competitive landscape searches, and review prior art.
- Manage a U.S. and foreign patent prosecution docket such that deadlines are met.
- Conduct interviews with examiners at the USPTO.
- Work closely with our collaborative team of attorneys, agents, paralegals, and legal assistants to ensure excellence in client service at all times.
What we're looking for:
- One to five years of agent/advisor experience.
- At least a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
- Strong academic performance.
- Fluent in Japanese.
Preferred:
- USPTO admission.
We are looking for the right person, not just the right resume or experience level. Collegiality and teamwork are highly valued, and broad skills and curiosity can be as important as a specific technical degree.
About Dorsey:
Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.
Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17 hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey's benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)
One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:
- Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
- Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
- 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
- Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
- Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)
Reasonable Accommodations:
Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.
How to Apply:
Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the "Careers" section of the Dorsey website at www.dorsey.com/staffjobs and complete Dorsey's online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.
The pay range for this position in Seattle, Denver or Palo Alto is an annual salary of $90,000 to $185,000.
This range represents Dorsey's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated.
Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through December 31, 2025.
Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening.
#LI-TC1
#LI-Hybrid
Office Location:
Seattle, WA
Denver, CO
Palo Alto, CA
Salt Lake City, UT