Careers

We are always interested in hiring outstanding law students, attorneys, and scientists. Scientists may apply as technology specialists, who work closely with the legal staff to develop the skills required to be a patent attorney.

We principally build our professional staff by recruiting strong Ph.D. scientists as technology specialists, whom we train, encourage to study for and pass the patent bar, and support through law school. We pay full tuition for approved technology specialists attending law school at night.

We pride ourselves on the training we provide to our professionals. Each professional works from the start with several of the firm’s attorneys and on a variety of client matters. Junior members of the firm interact directly with clients and are encouraged to take on as much responsibility as they can handle. All attorneys, technology specialists, and clerks attend a bi-weekly seminar, led by a senior attorney, during which case law, firm practice, industry challenges, and occasionally recent books or movies are discussed over lunch.

All of our professionals possess excellent analytical and communications skills; they must think, write, and speak clearly. In addition, law students and attorneys applying for positions at Clark+Elbing must have at least an undergraduate science degree; technology specialists must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the sciences. As a growing firm, we value an entrepreneurial spirit and an enthusiasm for participating in firm decisions and client management.

Although our professionals work hard, we have a collegial, non-competitive work environment in which everyone honors the need to balance work and non-work life. Our work style is collaborative, with three or four staff often contributing to a single project. We hire only people who thrive under these conditions.

Open Position:

Patent Attorney/Agent (Biology)

Clark+Elbing is looking for a talented Patent Attorney/Agent with a background in Biology to join our Legal Staff. As a Patent Attorney/Agent, you will leverage your scientific knowledge and expertise to collaborate with Partners and Technology Specialists in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications and performing IP related due diligence for opinions, including patentability, freedom to operate analyses, invalidity and infringement assessments, and more.

Our Patent Attorneys/Agents are called upon to apply their extensive substantive knowledge to:

• Draft and prosecute patent applications.
• Write, develop and edit material for reports, opinion letters, applications and related technical publications related to scientific work methods, experimental procedures, and inventions in biology and related disciplines.
• Analyze, review and prepare licensing agreements, investor due diligence studies and opinion letters concerning patents and patent applications.
• Synthesize information and data for patent applications by applying high level substantive knowledge of biology, current research, scientific methods and analysis.
• Assist Partners and Technology Specialists with counsel to clients regarding patentability of inventions, freedom to operate analyses, and validity of patents.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D., or equivalent degree, in Biological Sciences (e.g., microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, or genetics)
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• 3+ years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm setting
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; an ability to think, write, and speak clearly
• Team player with a strong track record of working on highly functioning teams
• Impeccable attentiveness to detail
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment

Clark+Elbing offers flexible working conditions including on-site in Boston, remote, and hybrid positions, as well as support through law school for those interested in obtaining a J.D.

If the prospect of being at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation sounds exciting to you, please send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to legalcareers@clarkelbing.com.