Attorney

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of General Counsel (OGC) is expanding its intellectual property practice and seeking a full-time patent attorney. This position is well-suited for an attorney with a strong background in patent law and experience working with federal agencies.Location: Portland ORPreferred Qualifications:- Experience in patent prosecution, including drafting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), conducting examiner interviews, filing responses, and handling appeals.- Experience guiding non-U.S. law firms in the prosecution of international patent applications.- Conducting patentability, infringement, and validity analyses.- Knowledge of federal administrative law.- Strong writing, communication, teamwork, organizational, and analytical skills.- Undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, chemistry, biological sciences, physics, or computer science.- Registration to practice before the USPTO and familiarity with U.S. patent law and procedures.Responsibilities:- Provide legal advice on intellectual property issues related to research and innovation.- Manage an interdisciplinary caseload involving inventions from VA Medical Centers and programs.- Deliver comprehensive legal services to VA clients, including legal guidance and representation on research and IP matters such as technology transfer, licensing, inventorship rights, and administrative proceedings.- Conduct legal and administrative research on complex issues, including interpretation of statutes, regulations, decisions, and policies affecting agency IP and research programs.- Support VA’s technology transfer activities, including review of patent-related aspects of cooperative research and development agreements, as well as employee rights determinations and appeals under Executive Order 10096 and 37 CFR Part 501.- Serve as a resource on the Federal Acquisition Regulations related to intellectual property.- Assist with patent infringement matters in coordination with the Department of Justice.Required Qualifications:- U.S. citizenship- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and valid licensure to practice law in at least one U.S. state.