IP Spring, a small law firm, is seeking a Senior Patent Attorney & Director of Client Relations and Operational Excellence to work remotely.
Role Summary:
This is not a traditional senior‑associate posting. We seek an attorney who can:
- Perform high‑level legal work – draft and prosecute sophisticated AI/ML software patents and guide strategy for large technology portfolios.
- Role includes setting firm-wide standards, performing review, and achieving continuous improvement goals for the firm.
- Manage client relationships – map organisational hierarchies, tailor communication paths, and present as the face of the firm to engineering VPs, in‑house counsel, and executive assistants.
- Ensure compliance with client-defined metrics on quality and timeliness via operational excellence across the firm.
- A successful hire will be considered for non‑equity partnership after 18‑24 months and equity within 3‑5 years.
Representative Duties:
Operational Leadership (~30 %)
- Lead attorney team and own firm operations including docketing, billing, budget, and firm‑wide SLA/KPI dashboards
- Design process improvements and technology rollouts (e‑billing, IP management platforms)
Client Relationship Management (~20 %)
- Serve as relationship partner for 5‑8 marquee software/AI accounts
- Conduct periodic business reviews and portfolio “health checks”
- Craft communication plans that respect each client’s hierarchy and culture, delivering “white glove” responsiveness
Patent Preparation & Prosecution (~50 %)
- Draft multiple original full patent applications per year in AI/ML, cloud, data science, security, gaming, metaverse, or related fields. Personally handle prosecution, issuance, and continuation practice for a portfolio of pending cases across key clients.
- Set the quality standard for the firm by performing level review on a significant number of in-prep patent application drafts, draft office action responses, notice of allowance and continuation recommendations
- Lead office‑action strategy, examiner interviews, and foreign counsel instructions
- Train junior attorneys and agents on claim strategy and portfolio analytics
Send the following to careers@ipspring.com:
1. Résumé and concise cover letter (≤ 250 words) describing a time you balanced client demands, firm‑wide operations, and billable patent work in the same week.
2. Two public/published writing samples (one complete patent application, one office‑action response) redacted as needed.
3. (Optional) A one‑page “deal sheet” summarising representative portfolios, KPIs, or leadership achievements.
Additional Info
Employer Type: Law Firm
Job Location: Remote