Patent Agent

Role Summary

Patent Agent position involving drafting, filing, prosecution, and portfolio management across patents and trademarks, with legal support including vendor agreements, policy development, and process optimization, in collaboration with scientists, researchers, business leaders, and legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing a global patent portfolio, including working closely with external and internal counsel, interfacing with business leaders on strategic IP matters, and collaborating with inventors and technical staff.
• Support patent prosecution matters and perform related tasks such as performing patent searches, reviewing patent applications, preparing and filing related legal documents, completing patent formalities, and conducting research, all in coordination with outside counsel and internal stakeholders. Collaborate to develop and execute on patent strategies.
• Work closely with team members to manage patent docket system and patent files with an understanding of the deadlines, actions needed on each file, and accuracy of the files. Regularly communicate docket standards, protocols, and procedures.
• Coordinate trademark matters, including collaboration with internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
• Develop and maintain processes and discussions with inventors, researchers, and technical staff to identify and assess inventions and ideas for patentability.
• Review, prepare, and manage vendor agreements and statements of work under the supervision of an attorney, which may also include researching legal issues and assessing risk, organizing electronic files, and communicating with internal stakeholders.
• Train employees and maintain a program on trade secrets, employee inventions, and confidential information, in addition to other intellectual property matters that may arise.
• Keep up to date with legal developments in the patent field and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Adaptive‚Äôs product portfolio, pipeline, and business objectives.
• Assist with review and analysis of existing department processes and work with department personnel to develop process improvements that promote cost reductions, leverage AI as appropriate, and create other efficiencies.
• Assist with patent litigation matters and perform due diligence as necessary.
• Actively prioritize work responding to deadlines and changing critical needs.
• Support and advise on strategic ad hoc projects and initiatives as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor‚Äôs degree (scientific or technical degree preferred) with 5+ years of experience in patent practice; strong preference for bio/pharma/medical device/diagnostics industry experience
• Required: Registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Required: Strong verbal and written business communication skills
• Required: Ability to work under fast-paced conditions and demonstrate good judgment
• Required: Strong process-orientation with proven ability to implement scalable processes and improvements
• Required: Excellent project management skills
• Required: Proficiency in workplace and patent management technologies
• Required: Committed team player with initiative and ability to work with moderate supervision

Preferred

• In-house legal experience
• Comfortable working with senior level management
• Familiarity with contracting principles and agreements
• Experience with system design and administration of compliance and legal systems
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to set priorities and juggle multiple demands

Education

• No additional education details beyond those in Qualifications

Additional Requirements

• Travel up to 10% of the time; remote role with preference for candidates in the greater Seattle area