Patent Law Boot Camp

About the Boot Camp

Are you a highly motivated PhD scientist with a passion for innovation and a keen interest in the intersection of science and law? Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox, a premier intellectual property law firm, is excited to announce our intensive Patent Law Boot Camp, designed to provide accomplished scientists with a foundational understanding of patent law and its practical application.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is a leading intellectual property law firm with a deep commitment to excellence and a collaborative, collegial environment. Our attorneys and patent professionals work at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, helping clients protect their groundbreaking discoveries. This Boot Camp is an excellent way to gain exposure to the field of IP and patent law, experience our firm culture, and learn from some of the most respected minds in intellectual property law.

This 8-week program offers a unique opportunity to explore a potential career path in patent law and gain valuable insights into how your scientific expertise can be leveraged in the legal field.

Program Highlights

Dates: February 23, 2026 – April 17, 2026 (8 weeks)

What’s included:

• Comprehensive training lectures focusing on a particular legal topic per week
• Two to three days dedicated to hands-on assignments directly related to the weekly lecture topic, allowing for practical application of learned concepts
• The Boot Camp will cover essential aspects of patent law, including patent prosecution, infringement, validity, and intellectual property strategy, all through the lens of scientific innovation

Logistics:

• Predominantly virtual sessions, offering flexibility and accessibility
• Participants may still continue employment or other research positions while participating in the Boot Camp
• Programming during the first week of the program (week of February 23, 2026) and the final week of the program (week of April 13, 2026) will be held in-person at our office in Washington, D.C., fostering direct interaction and networking opportunities
  • Participants will each give a presentation during the final week in April
• Participants in the Boot Camp should have their own laptop or personal computer
  • Participants will use their own computer to join the lessons and complete practice exercises and assignments
  • Our file share process also includes two-factor authentication

Scholarship:

• Participants will receive a scholarship of $1,000 per week
  • Participants will be treated as independent contractors for disbursing payments
  • Payment will be issued through Accounts Payable, and 1099 tax forms will be provided at year-end

Potential for Additional Support:

• The firm may choose to offer additional support to the strongest performers in the Boot Camp to assist with sitting for the U.S. Patent Office Exam by purchasing a third-party review course and covering the exam registration fees

Qualifications

We are seeking highly talented and intellectually curious individuals with a PhD (or completing a PhD by the end of June 2026) in one of the following preferred scientific disciplines:

• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Microbiology
• Virology
• Immunology
• Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Application Process

To apply for the Patent Law Boot Camp, please submit 1 PDF document that includes all of the following:

• Resume
• All academic transcripts (unofficial accepted)
• Technical or scientific writing sample
• A cover letter explaining your interest in patent law and how your scientific background aligns with this program

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Participation in the Patent Law Boot Camp does not guarantee an offer of full-time employment at the firm. For full-time, new-to-patent law employment opportunities, please see our job postings at https://www.sternekessler.com/careers/technical-specialists/

Salary : $1,000