Patent Prosecution Associate – Life Sciences / Biotechnology – Chicago

Practice Area: Intellectual Property / Patent Prosecution
Experience: 1–5 years
Requirements: Advanced degree in life sciences (Ph.D. preferred); USPTO registration or eligibility to sit for the patent bar within 12 months.

This is an opportunity for a technically sophisticated patent attorney to transition from routine portfolio drafting to high-stakes, commercial IP strategy for world-changing biotechnology innovators. A premier Am Law 50 global firm is seeking a mid-level associate to join its elite Midwest IP practice, stepping directly into a sophisticated workflow that bridges cutting-edge science and complex global patent law.

The Work
You will guide life sciences and biotech innovators through the entire lifecycle of intellectual property protection. This is a highly strategic, client-facing role where you will be directly involved in building and managing high-value patent portfolios, drafting complex applications for breakthrough therapies, and conducting critical freedom-to-operate (FTO) and patentability analyses. Your clients will span from venture-backed Midwest startups to multinational pharmaceutical giants, ensuring your portfolio exposure remains broad and sophisticated.

Who This Is For
You are an intelligent, scientifically driven attorney with one to five years of patent prosecution experience within a dedicated biotechnology practice. You possess a deep technical foundation—ideally a Ph.D. in a life sciences discipline (molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related fields)—and can easily speak the language of founders and chief scientific officers. You either hold a USPTO registration number or have the foundational credentials to sit for and pass the patent bar exam within your first year in the role.

The Platform
The firm offers the rare combination of an elite, global footprint with a deeply collaborative, partner-led mentorship structure in Chicago. You will work alongside recognized leaders in the life sciences space who invest in your professional development, ensuring you gain the strategic advisory skills necessary to transition from an associate who executes work to a trusted advisor. The firm is highly meritocratic, offering a clear, predictable trajectory for associates looking to build a long-term career.

Why Chicago
Chicago stands as the undisputed capital of the Midwest's life sciences and healthcare sectors, boasting a powerful mix of world-class research universities, premier medical centers, and a rapidly expanding venture capital ecosystem. It offers a rare professional landscape: the ability to command elite, global-tier IP work and top-market compensation, while benefiting from the distinct cultural advantages and sustainable quality of life that define the Chicago market.

Compensation and Benefits
The base salary range for this position is $225,000 to $435,000, determined by your class year, technical expertise, and depth of experience. The comprehensive benefits package includes market-leading medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) eligibility with profit sharing; exceptional paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave); and robust professional development and bar association support.

Apply in Confidence
If you are open to exploring a platform that matches your scientific expertise with world-class legal work, let’s begin a confidential conversation. Your details will not be shared with this or any other firm without your explicit permission.

Contact us to schedule an introductory discussion.