IP Legal Interns, IP Practice Specialists and Patent Agents

Jones Day is seeking a number of talented individuals to join our Intellectual Property (IP) patent prosecution group as IP Practice Specialists, Patent Agents, and IP Legal Interns. Please refer to the individual position links for additional details regarding required technical backgrounds and available office locations.

An IP Practice Specialist (aka technical specialist, scientific advisor, or patent engineer) is a scientist or engineer with advanced technical training who is not yet qualified as a patent agent or attorney. They work under the supervision of attorneys and support our patent teams by analyzing invention disclosures, conducting prior art searches, drafting technical descriptions, and assisting with the preparation of patent application materials. This role provides practical experience in patent practice and often serves as a bridge for those planning to sit for the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent bar examination (Patent Agents) and/or attend law school (IP Legal Interns).

A Patent Agent is a scientist or engineer with advanced technical training that has taken and passed the patent bar examination and is registered to practice before the USPTO. They draft, file, and prosecute patent applications on behalf of our clients and collaborate closely with inventors and attorneys to secure patent rights, translate complex technical concepts into legal claims, and correspond with the USPTO. They also work with attorneys in supporting IP due diligences, patent landscape analyses, patent litigations, and/or post-grant proceedings. They play an important role in our prosecution teams and often handle client-facing responsibilities.

An IP Legal Intern is often a registered Patent Agent that is employed full-time at Jones Day while also attending a local law school part-time in the evening. They bring both technical and practical prosecution experience to their work, assisting with research, drafting, and portfolio management as part of our larger patent prosecution teams. Jones Day provides financial assistance for law school tuition. This role allows them to continue  meaningfully contributing to client matters while simultaneously gaining the legal training needed to transition into a patent attorney position after graduation from law school.

For specific questions about Jones Day's IP Practice Specialists, Patent Agents, and IP Legal Interns, please contact Tammy Weisser. 

Apply online for IP Legal Intern positions via our Application Portal.

Apply online for IP Practice Specialist positions via our Application Portal.

Apply online for Patent Agent positions via our Application Portal.