IP & Technology Litigation Associate Attorney | 2-4 Years | San Francisco | AM Law 100 Firm | $235,000-$310,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses

Patent Attorney - Electrical Engineering / Telecommunications | 5+ Years | San Francisco, CA | $150,000-$200,000 Base | Am Law 100 full-service national law firm

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 full-service national law firm seeking a Patent Attorney with five or more years of experience to join its San Francisco office.

This is a specialist patent prosecution opportunity for an experienced electrical engineer with deep wireless telecommunications expertise. The attorney will work directly with inventors and scientists on US and worldwide patent portfolios involving 5G, 6G, WiFi and related technologies, within a large national patent platform with substantial prosecution volume.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 national platform advising Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses and other sophisticated clients.

• 2026 Best Law Firms recognition includes rankings for Patent Law and Litigation - Intellectual Property.

• Managing IP's IP STARS recognises the firm nationally for Patent Prosecution, alongside broader IP disciplines.

• Patent practice includes more than 70 full-time patent professionals across prosecution, post-grant, transactional and litigation work.

• Manages over 30 000 active patent applications, including roughly 20 000 active US applications in prosecution.

• Recognised in the 2026 IAM Patent 1000, reinforcing the credibility of the firm's patent bench.

• Attorney development includes formal mentoring, coaching, leadership development, wellness resources and business-development programming.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a large, established patent practice offering:

• High-level patent drafting and prosecution involving advanced wireless communications technologies.

• Direct engagement with inventors and scientists in a client-facing role.

• Exposure to US and worldwide patent portfolio strategy.

• Work involving 5G, 6G, WiFi and adjacent electrical engineering technologies.

• Formal career-development resources within a national IP platform.

• A differentiated specialist path for an experienced patent attorney seeking deep technical client work.

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of patent prosecution matters, including:

• Draft and prosecute US patent applications.

• Coordinate worldwide patent prosecution and foreign filing strategy.

• Engage directly with inventors and scientists to understand technical innovations.

• Prepare technically detailed patent specifications and claim sets.

• Respond to USPTO office actions and manage prosecution strategy.

• Advise on patent protection involving wireless telecommunications and electrical engineering technologies.

• Manage portfolio workstreams accurately across multiple matters and shifting priorities.

This is a non-partnership-track attorney position offering substantial client contact and specialist responsibility within a nationally recognised patent practice.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a Patent Attorney with:

• Five or more years of relevant patent prosecution experience.

• A bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering & JD

• Registration to practise before the USPTO.

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar.

• Demonstrated expertise in wireless telecommunications, including 5G, 6G and WiFi.

• Strong written, oral and organisational skills.

• Ability to work directly and effectively with inventors, scientists and sophisticated clients.

• Accuracy, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple concurrent matters.

Highly preferred: current experience preparing patent applications for a major wireless semiconductor company. Additional experience with power devices, analog circuits, medical devices, software, mechanical devices or 3D printing is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $150,000-$200,000, depending on relevant experience, education, bar admissions and overall qualifications.

Verified compensation and benefits include eligibility for discretionary productivity, business-development and merit incentives, medical, dental and vision coverage, profit-sharing, paid time off and a flexible reimbursement account supporting personal wellbeing.

Confidential Application Process

All applications and discussions will be handled in strict confidence. Qualified candidates are invited to submit their résumé for confidential consideration.

Candidates whose experience meets the position requirements will be contacted as soon as possible by telephone or email to schedule a confidential call to discuss the opportunity and their potential application.

Relevant Search Terms

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