Explore Intellectual Property Associate Jobs

Discover Intellectual Property Associate opportunities for experienced legal professionals who help clients protect, enforce, and commercialize valuable ideas and innovations. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, including openings at law firms, technology companies, life sciences organizations, and other employers with complex intellectual property needs.

What Does an Intellectual Property Associate Do?

Intellectual Property Associates advise clients on rights related to inventions, brands, creative works, and proprietary information. Depending on their practice, they may draft and prosecute patent applications, conduct trademark clearance and registration, support copyright matters, negotiate licenses, perform due diligence, or represent clients in disputes. Associates often work closely with partners, in-house teams, inventors, executives, and technical experts.

Common Intellectual Property Practice Areas

IP roles may focus on patent prosecution or litigation, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, or portfolio management. Patent positions can involve specialized technology areas such as software, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, or medical devices. Review each listing for the practice focus, client base, and balance of transactional, prosecution, and litigation work.

Qualifications Employers Look For

Employers commonly seek a law degree, bar admission in the relevant jurisdiction, and experience aligned with the role. Patent-focused positions may require a technical or scientific degree and, for patent prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, registration to practice before the USPTO. Strong legal writing, research, analytical skills, attention to detail, and clear communication with technical and business stakeholders are valuable across IP practices.

Find the Right IP Associate Role

Compare opportunities by seniority, location, compensation, practice area, and work arrangement. Use Ladders to explore vetted Intellectual Property Associate jobs paying $100,000 or more and identify positions that match your expertise and career goals. Job requirements and compensation vary by employer and location; consult each posting for current details.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$128K - $155K *

Drive intellectual property initiatives by collaborating with scientists and outside counsel to draft applications, prosecute patents, and develop strategies that protect innovations and support busin...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $288K *

Lead complex commercial and residential real estate transactions, ensuring smooth processes from acquisition to closing. Collaborate with clients and teams to build relationships and drive business de...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$270K - $290K *

Join us to enhance our Knowledge Management team by managing and delivering critical legal knowledge assets, supporting training initiatives, and collaborating on AI-optimized resources to drive excel...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$270K - $290K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing and delivering essential legal knowledge assets, while monitoring market developments and providing training to enhance practice efficiency and attorney suppor...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $95K *

Optimize your career by managing trademark and copyright docketing operations, leading a team, and ensuring exceptional service delivery to clients while maintaining compliance with best practices and...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovative litigation practices, collaborating closely with lead attorneys across diverse areas. Enjoy a supportive environment with flexible work options while handlin...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$85K - $100K *

Empower a dynamic team by managing all phases of litigation, from investigations to trial presentation, while collaborating with experienced attorneys to achieve client objectives in a supportive and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advising clients on international trade compliance, risk assessments, and government inquiries. This role offers exposure to federal agencies and the evolving landscape...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$365K - $420K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on sophisticated estate and tax planning, trust administration, and complex estate management, while collaborating with clients on unique asset strat...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$77K - $106K *

Elevate the enterprise partnerships and licensing portfolio by managing relationships, supporting negotiations, and coordinating cross-functional strategies to drive successful activation and growth...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$150K - $365K *

Elevate your career by providing patent prosecution services in software and electronics IP. Collaborate across diverse industries, ensuring exceptional client service while navigating U.S. and foreig...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$150K - $185K *

Empower innovation in patent prosecution for software and electronics. Leverage your expertise to navigate U.S. and foreign patent processes, ensuring exceptional client service across diverse industr...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$95K - $115K *

Elevate your career by joining our dynamic international trade team to advise on CFIUS, customs, and trade compliance. Benefit from a collaborative environment while enhancing your expertise in a fast...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$70K - $110K *

Develop your legal expertise by managing litigation tasks, drafting documents, and collaborating with clients and attorneys. This role offers a dynamic environment to enhance your skills while ensurin...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$75K - $100K *

Join a team that's pivotal in filing and prosecuting patent applications globally. Collaborate with foreign attorneys and manage critical patent processes, ensuring compliance with each country's requ...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$80K - $95K *

Transform litigation practices by handling complex civil cases, preparing comprehensive legal documents, managing client interactions, and collaborating with teams to deliver effective legal strategie...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$65K - $100K *

Contribute to the international patent filing process by assisting with applications and communications. Collaborate with teams to ensure comprehensive documentation and support attorneys while managi...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Optimize client patent portfolios by managing workflows, ensuring compliance, and delivering exceptional service. Collaborate with legal teams to draft and file documents, maintain accurate records, a...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing patent portfolios, ensuring quality service, and fostering effective workflows. Collaborate with legal professionals to meet client needs while maintaining com...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Join our team to manage patent portfolios, ensuring quality service and effective workflows. Collaborate with clients and colleagues to meet deadlines while maintaining compliance with patent regulati...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Optimize patent client services by managing portfolios, ensuring quality workflows, and maintaining effective communication with clients and legal teams. This role requires proactive management to mee...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Reimagine the patent administration landscape by managing client portfolios, ensuring quality service, and fostering effective workflows. Collaborate with legal teams to meet deadlines and maintain co...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Help us manage patent portfolios by ensuring quality service and efficient workflows. Collaborate with legal teams and clients to meet deadlines while maintaining strong relationships and up-to-date k...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing patent portfolios, ensuring quality service, and maintaining effective workflows. Collaborate with legal professionals to support clients in a dynamic, deadlin...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$111K - $148K *

Drive excellence in patent client services by managing portfolios, ensuring quality workflows, and fostering collaboration among legal teams and clients. This role demands attention to detail and proa...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does an Intellectual Property Associate do?question toggle

    An Intellectual Property Associate helps clients protect and manage patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related rights. Work may include drafting applications, advising on ownership and licensing, conducting due diligence, or supporting litigation.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Intellectual Property Associate jobs?question toggle

    Most roles require a law degree, admission to the relevant bar, and experience in the applicable IP practice. Patent roles may also require a technical or scientific background; patent prosecution before the USPTO generally requires USPTO registration.

  • What types of Intellectual Property Associate positions are available?question toggle

    Openings may focus on patent prosecution, patent litigation, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, or broader IP counseling. Some roles specialize in industries such as technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

  • How much do Intellectual Property Associates earn?question toggle

    Compensation varies by employer, location, seniority, and specialty. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for salary information and eligibility details.

  • Where can Intellectual Property Associates work?question toggle

    They may work at law firms, corporations, technology and life sciences companies, or other organizations that develop, acquire, license, or enforce intellectual property.