Demo

Patent Agent

McGuireWoods LLP
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 10/10/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/10/2027

Overview

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Patent Agent to join our team. The Patent Agent will prepare original patent applications, prepare responses to office actions received from the USPTO, and handle routine correspondence with the USPTO. The ideal candidate must be registered with the USPTO, have a degree in Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, and experience and interest preparing patent applications.

 

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work-life balance. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities

  • Writes new patent applications for filing at USPTO.
  • Analyzes and revises patent agreements and assists with appeals, inferences, reexaminations, interviews and reissues.
  • Negotiates and drafts patent agreements; prepares documents for filing and processing.
  • Drafts responses to USPTO office actions.
  • Performs patentability and freedom-to-operate searches, publication clearance reviews and assists in maintaining an active prosecution docket.

Qualifications

  • Requires Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science and a minimum of three years of experience drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications in the USPTO for an intellectual property law firm. 
  • Must be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).
  • Must have excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability to respond effectively to clients, employees and management and handle sensitive and/or confidential communications.
  • Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work under time restraints and deadlines.
  • Interest in using innovative AI technology, including Harvey and Copilot, to support efficient high-impact work.

Have more questions?  Connect with a recruiter directly.

Salary : $171,800 - $216,700

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Patent Agent?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Patent Agent career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$94,368 - $132,213
Income Estimation: 
$178,958 - $246,349
Income Estimation: 
$142,457 - $223,794
Income Estimation: 
$178,958 - $246,349
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at McGuireWoods LLP

  • McGuireWoods LLP Washington, DC
  • Overview McGuireWoods LLP has an opening for a Business Development Manager. This person will work alongside the Business Development Director and lead law... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • McGuireWoods LLP Richmond, VA
  • Overview McGuireWoods is seeking a Technical Advisor to join our firm's Commercial Litigation - Patent group. The Technical Advisor will assist patent liti... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • McGuireWoods LLP Richmond, VA
  • Overview McGuireWoods is at the forefront of piloting cutting-edge AI technology that is already impacting law firms in meaningful ways. Our Innovation and... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • McGuireWoods LLP Henrico, VA
  • Overview McGuireWoods is seeking a motivated and bright eDiscovery Paralegal to join the Firm's Commercial Litigation practice group in Richmond, VA. The i... more
  • 7 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Patent Agent jobs in the Chicago, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • McClatchy Chicago, IL
  • This position, highly visible within the growing technical team and the organization in general, supports the Intellectual Property needs of MonoSol and re... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • Fish & Richardson P.C. Chicago, IL
  • Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world’s most innovative and influential companies. Fish was establi... more
  • 17 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!