Position Overview
Job Title: Intellectual Property Attorney (Mechanical)
Department: Patent Prosecution & IP Strategy
Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid)
Reports To: Partner, Patent Prosecution
Compensation: $120k -$200k per year, commensurate with experience
Start Date: ASAP
Position Profile:
https://proforceco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Billion-Armitage-Intellectual-Property-Attorney-Mechanical-Position-Profile-v2.03.pdf
Total Rewards Overview [E]
https://proforceco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Billion-Armitage-Total-Rewards-Overview-E-v1.03.pdf
Position Purpose
The purpose of this role is to,
- Protect and advance clients’ innovations through thoughtful drafting, strategic prosecution, and proactive IP counseling.
- Translate complex mechanical technologies into legally robust patent assets that drive business value.
- Strengthen client outcomes by aligning IP strategy with commercial, competitive, and operational goals.
- Support Billion & Armitage’s growth into a next-generation IP firm by leveraging AI, process improvement, and modern legal operations.
- Collaborate with attorneys, staff, and foreign associates to deliver high-quality, timely work in a hybrid, relationship-centric environment.
Ultimately, this role ensures clients receive strategic, business-aligned IP solutions-not just filings-advancing the firm’s mission of building Intellectual Property that Drives Business.
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About Billion & Armitage
Billion & Armitage is a boutique, high-performing intellectual property law firm known for its warmth, clarity, and OTTER values - Ownership, Teamwork, Timely Communication, Effective Productivity, and Respect. Discover more in our Benefits, Total Rewards and Perks overview.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Organized into strategic functional domains.
Patent Prosecution & Drafting
- Draft high-quality patent applications for mechanical and electromechanical systems, devices, and processes.
- Develop prosecution strategies that balance protection, speed, and cost efficiency.
- Prepare responses to USPTO Office Actions, including complex rejections.
- Manage international prosecution workflows with foreign counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
- Conduct claim analysis, amendments, and examiner interviews with clarity and strategic reasoning.
Patentability, Prior Art, and Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
- Conduct patentability assessments supporting client R&D and investment decisions.
- Perform FTO, landscape, and competitive intelligence analysis for product launches and strategic planning.
- Synthesize technical and legal findings into clear, actionable client reports.
Client Strategy & Portfolio Management
- Advise clients on portfolio development, maintenance, and prioritization.
- Align IP filings with business goals, product roadmaps, and competitive positioning.
- Participate in portfolio strategy sessions with clients and internal teams.
- Identify opportunities for continuation practice, divisional filings, and claim expansion.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Client Advisory
- Work directly and frequently with inventors, engineers, founders, and executives.
- Serve as a problem-solving partner to clients, translating technical concepts into legal strategy.
- Collaborate closely with Billion & Armitage attorneys, paralegals, and leadership to ensure coordinated, timely deliverables.
- Engage with foreign associates and international partners to support multi-jurisdictional IP needs.
Research, Analysis & Legal Interpretation
- Monitor legal developments in mechanical, electromechanical, and AI-adjacent technologies.
- Interpret court decisions, USPTO guidelines, and regulatory changes impacting client portfolios.
- Provide internal knowledge-sharing as part of the firm’s collaborative learning culture.
Professional Development & Continuous Learning
- Participate in Billion & Armitage’s extensive mentorship and training programs, including twice-weekly team meetings and monthly attorney seminars.
- Develop expertise in AI-enabled legal workflows and emerging IP technologies.
- Support thought leadership initiatives and client education activities when needed.
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Performance Objectives
First 90 Days
- Become fully integrated into Billion & Armitage’s workflows, systems, AI toolsets, and OTTER-based culture.
- Manage a small set of prosecution matters under mentorship and supervision.
- Demonstrate consistent communication, responsiveness, and document quality.
- Establish strong working relationships with attorneys, paralegals, and leadership.
First 6 Months
- Independently draft high-quality mechanical patent applications with minimal revisions.
- Manage a diverse prosecution docket consisting of office action responses, filings, and examiner interactions.
- Deliver client-ready analyses (patentability, FTO, landscape) supported by sound reasoning and technical clarity.
- Show strong ownership and professional maturity across all assigned matters.
First 12 Months
- Serve as a strategic advisor for key client portfolios.
- Increase efficiency and output through AI and workflow optimization tools.
- Contribute to firm initiatives such as improving templates, training junior team members, or refining internal processes.
- Demonstrate measurable alignment with OTTER values in daily performance and client outcomes.
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Capabilities, Skills & Competencies
Technical Capabilities
- Patent application drafting (mechanical and electromechanical).
- USPTO prosecution strategy and office action response expertise.
- FTO and patentability search analysis.
- Familiarity with international patent processes (PCT, EP, JP, CN, etc.).
- Understanding of AI-assisted legal research and drafting tools (e.g., Enterprise ChatGPT).
Behavioral Competencies
- Strong follow-through and accountability.
- Clear, respectful, and timely communication with clients and colleagues.
- Collaborative mindset aligned with Billion & Armitage’s no-ego, no-drama culture.
- High integrity, professionalism, and respect for client confidentiality.
Cognitive Abilities
- Analytical reasoning and synthesis of complex technical concepts.
- Strong judgment, including risk identification and decision-making.
- Ability to distill technical information into client-friendly language.
Professional Service Skills
- Responsiveness consistent with boutique-firm expectations.
- Excellent time management and prioritization in a hybrid workload.
- Accuracy and attention to detail in all written materials.
- Comfort advising clients and interacting with inventors, engineers, and executives.
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Required Qualifications
- JD from an accredited law school or USPTO-registered Patent Agent credentials.
- Admission to the USPTO.
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
- Minimum 1+ year of patent prosecution experience (law firm or in-house).
- Demonstrated ability to draft and prosecute mechanical patent applications.
- Strong written, analytical, and communication skills.
- Commitment to the OTTER values and a collaborative culture.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with electromechanical or mechanical systems.
- Exposure to litigation, post-grant proceedings, or contested matters.
- International prosecution or global portfolio management experience.
- Advanced engineering degree.
- Experience with AI-driven legal tools
- Prior experience advising startups or inventors directly.
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Industry Background
This role is tailored for candidates experienced in
- Boutique or mid-size IP law environments where collaboration and mentorship are core.
- Mechanical engineering industries, including manufacturing, robotics, medical devices, and automation.
- IP prosecution for early-stage and enterprise clients, requiring broad technical versatility.
- International IP coordination, managing foreign associates and understanding global filing strategies.
The nature of Billion & Armitage’s client mix provides deep exposure to both prosecution and cross-functional IP strategy work.
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Core Competencies Aligned to OTTER Values
Ownership
- Takes responsibility for deadlines, work quality, and professional development.
- Operates with autonomy while knowing when to escalate or collaborate.
Teamwork
- Contributes to a supportive, respectful, low-drama environment.
- Collaborates easily across attorneys, paralegals, and leadership.
Timely Communication
- Maintains proactive communication with clients and internal teams.
- Provides clear status updates and meets agreed-upon timelines.
Effective Productivity
- Uses modern tools-including AI like Spellbook, Harvey AI, Diligen, Hyperstart, Legora etc to enhance speed, quality, and output.
- Manages docket responsibilities efficiently and accurately.
Respect
- Treats clients and colleagues with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.
- Participates in the firm’s personable, relationship-focused culture.
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Work Environment
Hybrid Work Structure
- Flexible hybrid schedule with onsite collaboration and remote productivity.
- Free parking, onsite fitness center, and onsite restaurant within the building.
- Modern technology environment with enterprise-level AI tools.
Cultural Environment
- Twice-weekly Teams meetings focused on alignment, priorities, and human connection.
- Monthly firm lunches, board game lunches, brewery walks, annual firm meetings, and community service events.
- Warm, low-ego, supportive culture-no “brilliant jerks” or big-firm drama.
Training & Professional Development
- Monthly attorney training seminars.
- Hands-on mentorship from senior attorneys and firm leadership.
- Opportunities to participate in client meetings and external speaking engagements.
Collaboration Norms
- High-access, low-hierarchy firm structure.
- Paralegals and attorneys collaborate closely, with respect and shared ownership.
- Strong focus on knowledge-sharing, quality, and continuous improvement.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- drafting and prosecuting Mechanical/Physics Patents: 2 years (Required)
Location:
- Minneapolis, MN 55439 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Minneapolis, MN 55439 (Required)
Work Location: In person
