Join the Most Exciting Life Sciences Patent Practice in the World
If you are a lawyer or law student with a passion for science and technology, Wilson Sonsini offers an unbeatable opportunity to expand your legal skills, deepen your technical knowledge, and work with clients at the forefront of innovation and research.
Our expansive patent and innovations practice focuses on three main areas:
- securing patents and other legal protections for our clients’ inventions and innovations
- defending those patents against challenges
- crafting long-term, integrated IP and business strategies to ensure our clients’ success
We have handled patents in nearly every high-tech and life sciences field, including therapeutics, biologics, personalized medicine, research tools, clean technologies, AI, and so much more. We have an impressive track record of IP value creation, as members of our practice are responsible for the development of the IP portfolios covering such inventions as the DNA chip, cell and gene therapies, gene editing technologies, cancer therapies, nanotechnology, cell-free genetic tests, medical devices, stem cell technologies, and next-generation DNA sequencing.
Especially with our early-stage company clients, our patent and innovation attorneys work closely with senior researchers to develop a long-term strategy. We work directly with scientists and decision makers, providing them the benefit of not only of our patent expertise, but also the full services of our Wilson Sonsini colleagues in other departments. Our focus is not limited to narrow issues; we focus on the success of the entire company.
If you are a summer associate, experienced attorney, or a patent agent, our patent and innovations team is almost always hiring, and our team is based in offices around the world.
See Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution) Practice on wsgr.com
The purpose of our work is not just to reward inventors with patent plaques for their office wall, but to build IP strategies for our clients that make sense for the growth of their business. That makes the job way more exciting: you’re not working on just any patent—you’re working on a patent that your client will use as currency to grow.
Meet Our Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution) Team
See Full Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution) Team on wsgr.com
Join Our Patents and Innovations (Counseling and Prosecution) Team
With the largest Life Sciences-focused patent practice in the world, Wilson Sonsini’s unmatched expertise services a diverse client base from start-ups to established industry leaders on global patent portfolio development and management. Associates learn from the best through early, hands-on experience and comprehensive training and development opportunities. You will draft and prosecute patent applications, prepare patent opinion letters and provide IP counseling to clients as well as supervise junior attorneys and patent agents. We want to hear from you if you have 1-4 years of patent prosecution law firm experience, patent bar membership, and a background in one of the following fields: cell or molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, pharmacology, organic chemistry, biophysics, or digital health focused disciplines.
With the largest Life Sciences-focused patent practice in the world, Wilson Sonsini’s unmatched expertise services a diverse client base from start-ups to established industry leaders on global patent portfolio development and management. Associates learn from the best through early, hands-on experience and comprehensive training and development opportunities. You will work with the firm's clients and counsel in all aspects of the patent practice, including assisting in evaluating invention disclosures, drafting patent specifications and claims, preparing and prosecuting applications, and working on proceedings in the State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”). If you have 3+ years of experience in patent prosecution, strong communication skills in both English and Mandarin, a license to practice before SIPO and a masters level degree or higher in biology, chemistry, bioengineering, or similar life sciences field, we want to hear from you. We also value your exposure to a wide array of technologies and/or experience in appeal and invalidation proceedings.
Love science but tired of bench work? Interested in staying abreast of cutting edge technology but want to hang up your pipette? The Patents & Innovations Group at Wilson Sonsini is actively hiring IP specialists and patent agents with advanced degrees for open positions at offices throughout the United States. IP specialist candidates must be qualified to sit for the USPTO patent bar and are required to take and pass the exam prior to starting at the firm. LSAT and imminent plans to attend law school strongly preferred.
Our IP specialists and patent agents collaborate closely with our patent attorneys, receiving both formal and informal training and mentorship. They have the opportunity to work with attorneys across our offices, serving both US and international clients. Our working group and firm culture values diverse perspectives, collaboration, and high-performance, while respecting work-life balance and prioritizing mentoring, training, and professional development. Relocation not available. Search firm submissions not accepted.
The Patents and Innovations Group at Wilson Sonsini has an opening for an IP specialist or patent agent with backgrounds in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), or related disciplines. Previous law firm or industry experience is a plus. Responsibilities include working with the firm’s clients in all aspects of patent prosecution, including in evaluating invention disclosures, preparing and prosecuting patent applications, conducting landscape studies including analyzing third party patents.
Our patent agents collaborate closely with our patent attorneys, receiving both formal and informal training and mentorship. They have the opportunity to work with attorneys across our offices, serving both US and international clients. Our working group and firm culture values diverse perspectives, collaboration, and high-performance, while respecting work-life balance and prioritizing mentoring, training, and professional development. Relocation not available. Search firm submissions not accepted. IP specialist candidates must be qualified to sit for the USPTO patent bar and are required to take and pass the exam prior to starting at the firm. LSAT and imminent plans to attend law school strongly preferred.
If you would like to submit an application to Wilson Sonsini, but do not see an active posting for the office or practice you are interested in, please apply here.
Did you know?
Year after year, Wilson Sonsini ranks among the most diverse law firms in the United States. For us, diversity is not just a commitment—it is integrated throughout our business, from recruiting to promotion.