Mid-Level Ph.D. Patent Attorney — Life Sciences & Chemistry
Washington, DC | Full-Time | In-Person
Hylton-Rodic Law is seeking an experienced Ph.D.-trained Patent Attorney to join our growing life sciences intellectual property practice.
For recruiters and candidates evaluating fit, the core profile is straightforward:
- Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences or chemistry discipline;
- J.D. and active USPTO registration;
- Approximately 3–6 years of substantive patent drafting and prosecution experience;
- Experience working directly with sophisticated scientific clients and inventors; and
- The ability to take meaningful ownership of matters, people, and workflows.
This is not simply a production role.
We are looking for an attorney who can produce sophisticated patent work while becoming an increasingly important source of judgment, leadership, and leverage within the firm.
What You'll Do
You will work across sophisticated intellectual property matters for innovative life sciences clients, including:
- Drafting complex patent applications;
- Managing U.S. patent prosecution;
- Developing and coordinating foreign prosecution strategy;
- Conducting inventor interviews and invention harvesting;
- Performing prior-art and patentability analysis;
- Supporting patent clearance and freedom-to-operate matters;
- Managing patent portfolios and advising on strategy;
- Communicating directly with clients, inventors, and foreign associates;
- Reviewing and overseeing work delegated to legal assistants and other team members; and
- Improving the workflows and systems through which legal work gets done.
You should be capable of owning increasingly complex matters without requiring another attorney to manage every step behind you.
More Than a Producing Attorney
Excellent substantive work is the foundation of this role, but it is not the entire role.
We are particularly interested in someone who can help create leverage across the practice: delegating effectively, identifying problems before they become emergencies, improving workflows, maintaining quality, and helping less-experienced team members operate successfully.
We want someone whose presence ultimately makes the practice stronger, more organized, and less dependent on constant senior-level intervention.
What We're Looking For
The strongest candidate will be:
- Intellectually curious and scientifically sophisticated;
- An exceptional legal and technical writer;
- Comfortable communicating directly with sophisticated scientists and clients;
- Highly organized and detail-oriented;
- Capable of managing multiple matters and deadlines;
- Comfortable delegating and providing clear direction;
- Resourceful when the answer isn't obvious;
- Receptive to rigorous feedback;
- Interested in improving how work gets done—not simply completing assigned work; and
- Able to lead respectfully without ego.
What Success Looks Like
As you become established in the role, we expect you to:
- Independently produce high-quality patent work;
- Take ownership of matters and client communication;
- Effectively utilize and oversee support staff;
- Serve as a reliable quality-control layer;
- Identify and improve inefficient workflows;
- Anticipate issues rather than waiting for escalation; and
- Reduce the amount of senior-level intervention required to move routine matters forward.
Your responsibility will grow with your demonstrated judgment and capabilities.
This Role May Not Be for You If...
- You want to focus exclusively on your own billable production.
- You prefer someone else to manage the people, systems, and processes surrounding your work.
- You wait for direction when something clearly needs to be solved.
- You are uncomfortable delegating or providing constructive feedback.
- You resist changing a process simply because “that's how it's always been done.”
- Or you want leadership responsibility without the accountability that comes with it.
That's not the role we're building.
Why Hylton-Rodic Law
Hylton-Rodic Law is a boutique intellectual property firm serving sophisticated life sciences clients.
We believe excellent work and a humane professional culture are not competing ideas.
We are deliberately building a firm that combines:
- Sophisticated work.
- High standards.
- Exceptional client service.
- Modern technology and systems.
- Meaningful professional development.
- And a sustainable approach to high performance.
Because we are a growing boutique, capable attorneys don't have to disappear into a large hierarchy before they're trusted with meaningful responsibility.
This is an opportunity for someone who wants not only to practice sophisticated patent law, but to help shape and strengthen the practice around them.
Location & Work Arrangement
This is an in-person position based in our Washington, DC office. Candidates must currently reside in the DMV area or be willing to relocate.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary: $155,000–$195,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications. The position is also eligible for performance-based bonus opportunities.
Additional benefits include:
- Reasonable billable expectations;
- Health, dental, and vision insurance;
- 401(k);
- Life insurance;
- Short- and long-term disability coverage;
- Commuter benefits;
- Paid time off;
- Mental health days;
- Birthday leave;
- Annual holiday break, including a half-day on Christmas Eve and firm closure through New Year's Day;
- “Sunshine Fridays”/early Fridays when applicable performance targets are met; and
- A collaborative, respectful working environment.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Resume/CV;
- Cover letter; and
- Representative writing samples demonstrating substantive patent drafting and prosecution experience.
Please also submit, where available:
- A patent application substantially drafted by you; and
- An Office Action response substantially drafted by you.
Application materials will be treated confidentially.
One Question We Hope You'll Consider
You’ve learned how to practice patent law.
What could you build if you were trusted with more than your own work?
