Dorsey’s Patent group is seeking an associate in Denver, Palo Alto, Salt Lake City, or Seattle with two to four years of experience in patent prosecution, and having a technical background in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related field. You will join an exceptional team of attorneys, agents, paralegals, and business professionals servicing a wide array of clients – from large multinational corporations to entrepreneurs and innovative startup companies. You will have responsibility for an active docket of patent prosecution matters – from drafting applications through all phases of domestic and foreign patent prosecution. You will have the opportunity to counsel clients on patent strategy, and gain exposure to conducting searches and preparing patentability, invalidity, and non-infringement opinions. In our general practice firm, there are also opportunities to support litigation and transactional practices.
The following qualifications are required:
- USPTO and Colorado, California, Utah, or Washington bar admission or the ability to get admitted in Colorado, California, Utah, or Washington;
- Two to four years of patent attorney experience;
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field;
- Strong academic performance and writing ability.
For Denver applicants only: The salary range for this position is $205,000 - $245,000. Pay is determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, depth of experience in the practice area. The individual hired for this position may have the option of electing a lower billable-hours track with a proportional reduction in salary. Associates are eligible to participate in Dorsey’s associate bonus program, subject to the program’s conditions and restrictions.
For Seattle applicants only: The salary range for this position is $205,000 - $255,000. Pay is determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, depth of experience in the practice area. The individual hired for this position may have the option of electing a lower billable-hours track with a proportional reduction in salary. Associates are eligible to participate in Dorsey’s associate bonus program, subject to the program’s conditions and restrictions.
For California applicants only: The salary range for this position is $205,000 - $300,000. Pay is determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, depth of experience in the practice area. The individual hired for this position may have the option of electing a lower billable-hours track with a proportional reduction in salary. Associates are eligible to participate in Dorsey’s associate bonus program, subject to the program’s conditions and restrictions.
Dorsey offers a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive compensation and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to attorneys working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey’s benefits package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; flexible time off; up to 15 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for attorneys who give birth; paid holidays; adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. Where applicable, attorneys may be eligible for a discretionary bonus and/or a productivity bonus, clerkship bonus, relocation expenses, and bar review expenses. First-year associates are also eligible for a salary advance and bar review stipend. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria and may result in taxable income to the recipient.)
You will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status.
Dorsey participates in E-Verify.
About Dorsey
Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology.
Clients have relied on the international law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP since 1912 as a trusted legal advisor and valued business partner. With locations across the United States as well as Canada, Europe and Asia, Dorsey provides an integrated, dedicated approach to its clients' legal and business needs. Dorsey’s diverse client base includes more than one-third of Fortune 100 companies.
Our lawyers apply superb legal knowledge and skills with practical wisdom and a deep understanding of business and industry. We serve clients in nearly all industries, but focus on six key industries in which we have excellent depth and a history of achieving client success:
- Banking and Financial Institutions
- Development and Infrastructure
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare
- Technology
Among Dorsey’s many distinguished alumni are U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, noted law professor and scholar William Prosser, Minnesota’s first woman judge Betty Washburn, former U.S. Vice President and Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Corporation Counsel of the City of New York Zachary Carter, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Recognized for our dedication to community, Dorsey has met the ABA Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge every year since the Challenge began in 1993 by devoting more than 3% of billable hours to pro bono work.
One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including:
- Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
- Best Law Firms for Women (Seramount)
- 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
- Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)
How to Apply
Dorsey accepts online applications at https://www.dorsey.com/careers. We do not accept application materials by mail or email except as a reasonable accommodation for qualified disabled applicants. Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy, and lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation in connection with the application or interview processes, or you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5033.
We are accepting applications for this position until September 30, 2026, or until the position has been filled.
Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening.
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Office Location:
Denver, CO
Palo Alto, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Seattle, WA
