Job Description

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is searching for a full-time contract patent prosecution attorney to work through the Firm’s alternative-track attorney and staffing program, DWTSurge. We are particularly interested in attorneys who are admitted to practice before the USPTO and before the Washington State Bar admission and are based in the Seattle area.

Attorneys with experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in-house or as outside counsel for medium/large firms are encouraged to apply.

Candidates who are located in the Seattle area and can attend occasional meetings at DWT's Seattle office are strongly preferred. However, we are open to remote work for this role and will consider candidates who reside in one of the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MN, MT, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WDC. Candidates must be admitted to practice in their state of residence. 

The ideal candidate will have:
  • 2+ years of patent preparation and prosecution experience, either in-house or as outside counsel
  • Residency and active bar admission in one of the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MN, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WDC
  • A BS degree and industry experience in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field
  • Registered to practice before the USPTO
  • Technical experience with cloud computing, cryptography, information security, robotics or blockchain is desirable
  • Familiarity with operations of large organizations with established patent programs
  • Strong work ethic and commitment to being responsive to client needs
  • Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to collaborate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
  • Demonstrated ability working independently without significant supervision and proven performance managing a workload efficiently
Please note that this position is managed by DWT’s flexible attorney and staffing program, DWTSurge, and offers a contract for a specified term that may be renewed on an annual basis for successful candidates. The initial term offered will run through the end of the calendar year and will offer full time employment with an annual 1,800 billable hour requirement. We are interested in attorney candidates who are electing to pursue a more flexible way of practicing while also focusing on providing continuous, high-value legal services to clients. Those who excel in the role may be renewed for additional terms and/or considered for a full-time, traditional associate track position.

The annualized salary range for this full-time contract patent attorney position in Los Angeles, California is $199,000 to $231,000; and San Francisco, California is $213,000 to $249,000. The annualized salary range for this position in New York is $186,000 to $220,000. The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $179,000 to $211,000. The annualized salary range for this position in Maryland is $198,000 to $229,000. The annualized salary range for this position in Washington D.C. is $198,000 to $229,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Employees may be eligible for a quarterly bonus and health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. DWTSurge Patent Attorneys generally take approximately three weeks of vacation from work each year, and it may vary depending on the needs of the clients and the firm.
 
Additional voluntary benefits programs include: 
  • First Stop Health Telemedicine: Speak with a licensed physician or mental health counselor 24/7, covered by the firm 
  • TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program: Receive support with mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing
  • Voluntary Pet Insurance 
  • Milk Stork: Virtual lactation consulting, breast milk shipping and nutritional testing covered by the firm 
Wellness Benefits: 
  • Peloton App 
  • Headspace App 
To apply, send your resume and cover letter to DWTSurge Recruiting Manager, Mariah Watson, at mariahwatson@dwt.com. We are not accepting third party submissions for this opportunity. 
 
We are an AmLaw 100 law firm with eleven offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them. 
 
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. It brings out the best of what each individual has to offer and inspires us to build strong and lasting connections with each other, our clients, and our communities. 
 
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of the fabric of Davis Wright Tremaine - central to who we are and what we do. Our vision is to foster a culture where all talented individuals - including those who are from traditionally underrepresented communities in the legal profession - can have, and can see, a path to success. We embed DEI throughout our law firm with our four-pillar framework: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. We invite you to learn more about our commitment to DEI at https://www.dwt.com/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion. 
 
In order to support our effort to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive law firm, we request that you voluntarily provide demographic data. All self-reported demographic information is stored securely in a manner that is compliant with DWT’s privacy and security policies and is only accessible by authorized members of the Talent Acquisition and HR Departments; it is not shared with any of the hiring decision-makers. 
 
It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religious creed, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal laws. To review our Anti-Harassment Policy, click on this URL, https://www.dwt.com/-/media/files/policyagainstharassmentdiscrimination.pdf?la=en&hash=66A1B0095748A5E76B0B8A00773F5246. 
 
As an equal opportunity employer, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP values the diversity of our work force and the knowledge of our personnel. Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for specialty occupation petitions are displayed electronically in accordance with notice requirements pursuant to U.S. Department of Labor regulations, and public access files are available pursuant to regulation. See 20 CFR § 655.734, 655.760. 
 
Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email HumanResources_Confidential@dwt.com. 

Application Instructions

Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply Online