Patent Prosecution Specialist (2–5+ Years) in Washington, District of Columbia at Hylton-Rodic Law PLLC

Intellectual Property | Life Sciences | Patent Prosecution

Looking for a law firm where you can do exceptional work without sacrificing your quality of life?

Many experienced patent prosecution professionals eventually reach the same crossroads.

They still enjoy intellectual property law. They still enjoy supporting attorneys and helping clients succeed.

They're simply looking for a firm where they can do meaningful work in a collaborative environment—without the bureaucracy, constant fire drills, and around-the-clock expectations often found in larger firms.

Hylton-Rodic Law is a boutique intellectual property law firm serving biotechnology, pharmaceutical, university, and life sciences innovators.

We are seeking an experienced Patent Prosecution Specialist to join our growing legal team and support sophisticated U.S. and international patent prosecution matters for clients developing tomorrow's medicines, therapies, and scientific breakthroughs.

This position serves as a key operational partner to our patent attorneys, ensuring patent matters move accurately, efficiently, and on time. Successful candidates will be comfortable taking ownership of their work, managing competing deadlines, and proactively keeping complex legal matters on track.

This is not an entry-level patent support role. We're looking for someone who can quickly assume ownership of an active patent prosecution portfolio with minimal ramp-up while contributing as a trusted member of our legal team.

If you're looking for meaningful legal work, greater ownership, and a firm that values both professional excellence and personal well-being, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Prepare, review, and coordinate U.S. and foreign patent prosecution filings.
• Prepare and file Information Disclosure Statements (IDSs), formal documents, assignments, declarations, powers of attorney, and other patent prosecution documentation.
• Support attorneys with patent prosecution, patent maintenance matters, client reporting letters (CRLs), USPTO correspondence, and related prosecution workflows.
• Coordinate correspondence with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO to ensure matters progress accurately and on time.
• Review prosecution matters proactively, identify potential issues, and help keep complex patent portfolios moving efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with the firm's Docketing Assistant, who manages docket maintenance, intake, and administrative workflow coordination, to ensure seamless matter management and timely filings.
• Maintain accurate electronic matter files and prosecution records in the firm's practice management systems.
• As needed, contribute to legal operations initiatives, workflow improvements, system implementation projects, SOP development, and other efforts that strengthen the firm's long-term operations and client service.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days

• Learn the firm's clients, systems, docketing procedures, and prosecution workflows.
• Become familiar with attorney preferences and active client portfolios.
• Begin independently handling routine patent prosecution tasks.

First 90 Days

• Independently manage assigned prosecution matters with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate consistent accuracy, organization, and responsiveness.
• Become a trusted operational partner for attorneys and the legal team.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; degrees in legal studies, biology, chemistry, engineering, or another scientific discipline are preferred.
• 2–5+ years of hands-on U.S. patent prosecution experience within an intellectual property law firm.
• Experience preparing and coordinating USPTO filings, IDSs, formal documents, docket management, patent maintenance support, and patent prosecution workflows.
• Experience communicating professionally with clients, foreign associates, and the USPTO.
• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal practice management software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting international patent prosecution.
• Experience with AppColl or comparable IP docketing software.
• Experience working in a boutique intellectual property law firm.
• Experience with IDS filings, Information Disclosure Statements, assignments, patent maintenance matters, and related prosecution workflows.

Why Hylton-Rodic Law?

Work-Life Balance

We believe exceptional legal work should not require sacrificing your personal well-being. Our team enjoys a collaborative, respectful environment where quality of work and quality of life are equally valued.

Ownership & Professional Growth

This is not a role where you'll simply process tasks. You'll become a trusted operational partner to our attorneys, take ownership of your work, and help support sophisticated intellectual property matters for innovative clients.

Meaningful Work

Support scientists, universities, startups, and biotechnology companies developing technologies that improve healthcare and advance scientific discovery.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35.00–$45.00 per hour (non-exempt; overtime eligible), based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits include:

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 401(k) with Matching
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Mental Health Days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday Break (Christmas Eve through New Year's Day)
• Celebratory Birthday Leave
• Sunshine Fridays

Ready for Your Next Chapter?

If you're an experienced patent prosecution professional looking for meaningful work, greater ownership, and a collaborative firm where professional excellence and work-life balance go hand in hand, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to join a team that's helping protect the innovations shaping the future of healthcare, medicine, and science.