What are the responsibilities and job description for the IP and Employment Attorney (Trademark/IP Focus) position at Tomlinson & Shapiro, P.C.?
IP and Employment Attorney (Trademark/IP Focus)
Tomlinson & Shapiro P.C. | Chicago, IL (Hybrid) or Remote (U.S.)
Tomlinson & Shapiro is a growing law firm serving businesses throughout the United States in intellectual property, employment, business, and commercial matters. As our practice continues to expand, we're looking for an experienced attorney who enjoys solving challenging legal problems, advising clients directly, and taking ownership of their work.
This position is ideal for an attorney with strong trademark and/or employment law experience—including trademark or intellectual property litigation—who is interested in expanding into trademark prosecution or already has experience filing and prosecuting trademark applications before the USPTO.
If you enjoy working directly with clients, thinking strategically, and helping build a dynamic practice, we'd like to hear from you.
What You'll Do
This role offers a diverse mix of intellectual property and employment law work, with opportunities to expand into other areas of business law.
Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and prosecuting trademark applications before the USPTO (or learning to do so with mentorship)
- Responding to trademark Office Actions
- Performing trademark clearance searches and advising clients regarding trademark strategy
- Managing commercial, employment, and intellectual property matters
- Advising clients regarding litigation risk and dispute avoidance
- Conducting legal research
- Working directly with clients on legal strategy and business decisions
- Collaborating with attorneys on business and intellectual property matters across the firm
- Helping expand and strengthen our growing practice
What We're Looking For
Our ideal candidate is an excellent attorney who also enjoys learning new areas of practice.
Qualifications include:
- 4 years of legal experience (mid-level or senior)
- Experience filing and prosecuting trademark applications is preferred, but not required
- A genuine willingness to learn trademark prosecution if not already experienced
- Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Confidence advising clients and communicating directly with business owners and executives
- Experience assessing litigation risk and developing practical legal strategies
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the firm's attorneys
Additional experience in any of the following is a significant plus:
- Business or commercial litigation
- Transactional/business law
Who Succeeds Here
The attorneys who thrive at Tomlinson Shapiro are:
- Self-starters
- Curious learners
- Critical thinkers
- Practical problem solvers
- Strong communicators
- Detail-oriented professionals
- Team players who also enjoy taking ownership of their work
We're looking for someone who wants more than simply another job. We're looking for someone interested in helping grow a modern, entrepreneurial law firm.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: $150,000- $200,000, depending on experience.
We also offer:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Business origination bonuses
- Billable-hours bonuses
- Discretionary performance bonuses
- Hybrid schedule for attorneys located in the Chicago area
- Remote opportunities for qualified candidates located elsewhere in the United States
If you're looking for a long-term opportunity where you'll have meaningful responsibility, direct client relationships, and the ability to help shape a growing practice, we'd love to hear from you.