Patent Litigation Senior Associate / Attorney | 7+ Years | San Francisco, CA | $160,000-$375,000 Base | Am Law 100 full-service national law firm

Patent Litigation Senior Associate / Attorney | 7+ Years | San Francisco, CA | $160,000-$375,000 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 Litigation Senior Associate / Attorney with seven or more years of experience to join its San Francisco office.

This opportunity is suited to a seasoned patent litigator ready to take substantial ownership of complex District Court and International Trade Commission matters. The role offers sophisticated trial, motion, deposition, expert and discovery work within a nationally recognised IP platform, with room to deepen leadership responsibility across significant technology disputes.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 national platform with more than 600 lawyers and policy professionals serving major corporates, growth companies and other sophisticated clients.

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

• Managing IP's IP STARS recognises the firm across multiple national IP disciplines, including life sciences IP and patent prosecution.

• Patent practice includes more than 70 full-time patent professionals covering District Court litigation, Section 337 ITC matters, post-grant proceedings and prosecution.

• Broad technical bench supports disputes across life sciences, electrical and mechanical technologies, internet and e-commerce, and other innovation-driven sectors.

• Formal attorney development includes mentoring, coaching, leadership programming, business-development support and practice-based skills roadmaps.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a nationally recognised patent disputes platform offering:

• High-stakes patent litigation in US District Courts and before the International Trade Commission.

• Substantial responsibility across trials, motions, depositions, expert work and discovery management.

• Direct collaboration with senior litigators and sophisticated technology clients.

• Exposure to multiple technologies without a narrow technical-background requirement.

• Opportunity to broaden into trademark litigation where relevant.

• A credible platform for senior-level matter leadership, client development and long-term advancement.

The Role

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

• Manage substantial workstreams in complex US District Court patent litigation.

• Support and lead aspects of Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission.

• Draft and argue substantive motions and other key litigation papers.

• Take and defend depositions and prepare fact and expert witnesses.

• Work with technical and damages experts on reports, testimony, discovery management and case strategy.

• Contribute to trial preparation, trial strategy and broader dispute resolution planning.

The position offers senior-level responsibility and the opportunity to work directly with experienced trial lawyers on commercially significant patent disputes.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a Patent Litigation Senior Associate / Attorney with:

• Seven or more years of substantial patent litigation experience.

• Experience in both US District Court patent litigation and International Trade Commission proceedings.

• Hands-on experience with trials, motions, depositions, expert reports and discovery management.

• Exceptional legal writing and analytical skills.

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar.

• Strong matter-management skills and the ability to lead complex litigation workstreams.

• Ability to handle sophisticated technology disputes; no particular technology background is required.

• Strong academic credentials

Preferred: trademark litigation experience or a demonstrated interest in developing trademark litigation capability.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $160,000-$375,000, depending on years of relevant experience, position type, 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

Patent Litigation Senior Associate, Patent Litigation Attorney, San Francisco Attorney Jobs, California Bar, ITC Litigation, Section 337, District Court Patent Litigation, Patent Trial Attorney, Expert Discovery, Patent Infringement, Technology Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Depositions, Trial Preparation, Discovery Management, Trademark Litigation

#LawJobs #AttorneyJobs #PatentLitigation #IPLitigation #ITC #Section337 #SanFranciscoJobs #CaliforniaBar #IntellectualProperty #TrialLaw