Patents (Chemical Engineering) | Counsel or Patent Agent

Job Description

We are a global law firm with a powerful strategic focus and real momentum. Our industry-focused strategy is seeing us take on pioneering work in places that others have yet to reach. Our shared values define our culture and our workplace. You will find us to be unusually collegial, team-oriented, and ready to innovate. We work seamlessly across practices, offices and around the world. This elimination of boundaries has allowed us to evolve into a law firm that works as hard for its culture as it does for its clients.

Key Requirements:

• Registration to practice with the USPTO; attorney candidates should also be an active member and in good standing of their home office bar or eligible to waive into the appropriate bar.
• The ideal candidate would also have an Chemical Engineering degree (or an equivalent)
• Deep technological understanding of organic chemistry, polymers, downstream oil and gas operations.
• Experience in patent portfolio evaluation and management.
• Assistance in providing formal opinions concerning potential infringement, validity, and enforceability of client and third-party intellectual property.

Additional Skills:

• Experience working directly with clients to develop and manage portfolios.
• Preferred domain experience in organic chemistry, polymers, downstream oil and gas operations.

Location: This position is based in our Austin, Texas office.

Position Information:

• Counsel Role

This position offers a vibrant and impactful career within a prestigious global law firm, ideal for those eager to contribute significantly in their field. While this role does not lead directly to a partnership track, it provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. Advancement is based on a range of factors, including individual performance, the evolving needs of the firm, market dynamics relevant to your expertise, and overall economic conditions. This role is perfectly suited for dedicated professionals focused on long-term success and influence within the legal industry.

• Patent Agent

This position offers a dynamic career within a prestigious global law firm, ideal for those eager to make significant contributions in their field. Patent Agents collaborate with inventors, researchers, and attorneys to evaluate invention technology, assess patentability, draft patent applications, and respond to USPTO actions. Perfect for dedicated professionals focused on long-term success, this role provides a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of technological innovation and intellectual property law.

Additional Benefits: We are committed to supporting our employees' professional and personal growth. Here are additional benefits designed to enhance your career and well-being at our global law firm.

• Flexible Work Schedule: We offer a flexible work schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance and professional development. Senior Associates, Associates, and Sr. Counsel are expected in the office at least two days a week, while Counsel, Staff Counsel, and Patent Agents are expected one day a week. This flexibility allows our team members to manage their schedules effectively while ensuring they have ample opportunity for growth and collaboration.
• Vacation Incentive: The firm will offer a $2,500 vacation award to all non-partner lawyers who record 600 client billable hours or more in a consecutive three-month period within a calendar year.

• Professional Development To foster business development skills and support personal contacts, the firm reimburses business development activities. Lawyers with 250+ business development hours in a performance year will receive a firm-sponsored coaching session.
• Fertility Healthcare & Family Forming Benefits: In partnership with Carrot Fertility, we offer inclusive fertility health and family-forming benefits, including assisted reproduction, preservation, adoption, and gestational surrogacy. The firm provides a $20,000 lifetime benefit for these services.
• Referral Bonus Program: The firm offers a $30,000 bonus to any employee who recommends a non-partner lawyer who is subsequently recruited and joins the firm

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Benefit packages include access to three medical plans, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Employees can also access pre-tax benefits such as health savings and flexible spending accounts. Norton Rose Fulbright helps provide financial security by allowing employees to participate in a 401(k) savings plan and profit-sharing plans if eligible. Full- time employees are eligible to access fertility benefits designed to support fertility and family-forming journeys.

In addition to the Firm’s health and welfare benefits above, we offer a competitive paid time off plan, which provides a minimum of 20 days off based on your role and tenure with the firm. The firm offers a generous paid parental leave benefit allowing parents to take a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave to bond with your newborn, or adopted child(ren). Employees are also entitled to 11 Firm holidays.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and complies with all applicable federal laws and their implementing regulations that require the collection and recording of certain data and information. The information we receive will not be used to make any decision regarding employment and will be kept separate from your application. Similarly, self-identification information is kept confidential and used only in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to providing reasonable accommodation as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation to complete your application, please contact us.hr@nortonrosefulbright.com. Please provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

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