Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs
Intellectual Property Attorney jobs are open across law firms, technology companies, pharmaceuticals, and entertainment, from associate to partner level, with specializations in patent prosecution, trademark litigation, and copyright counseling. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 81+ Intellectual Property Attorney jobs
Career Area:
Legal and ComplianceJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Caterpillar’s Law, Security & Public Policy Division (LSPP) is looking for an introductory Paralegal to join a team of intellectual property paralegals. This role will primarily support attorneys and business partners within Caterpillar’s Intellectual Property Department, providing legal support for patent enforcement activities.
The candidate will work directly with attorneys supporting patent enforcement initiatives within Caterpillar’s Intellectual Property (IP) Department, while also having opportunities to collaborate on matters involving other activities within the IP Department. The position will assist attorneys with legal tasks and special projects related to enforcement matters that support and protect the organization. The legal work will be under the direction of various attorneys but will require the ability to work independently.
What You Will Do:
- Support legal matters impacting Caterpillar’s IP Department, including patent enforcement efforts.
- Develop and maintain metrics related to enforcement efforts.
- Request, obtain and track various investigations related to enforcement activities.
- Conduct legal tasks, such as research and drafting of communications to business units, under the supervision of attorneys.
- Maintain repositories of legal documentation and procedures.
- Participate in specific team initiatives.
Top Candidates will also have:
- Paralegal experience in a law department or law firm, working with attorneys.
- Experience supporting patent enforcement activities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organization and process management skills.
What You Have:
- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- Confidentiality: Knowledge of practices and policies governing disclosure of information about the organization, its business activities, and employees; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
- Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
- Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
- Document Management: Knowledge of document management; ability to categorize, integrate, update, document and distribute business information in a secure, effective way.
- Legal Analysis: Knowledge of methods and tools used in legal analysis; ability to read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from both legal and factual information.
Additional Info:
- Position is located in Peoria, IL.
- Degree or paralegal certification is not required
- This is a fully onsite role Monday to Friday in office.
- Domestic relocation assistance is not available.
Summary Pay Range:
$72,360.00 - $108,540.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
- These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates:
October 30, 2026 - November 13, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
Career Area:
Legal and ComplianceJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Caterpillar’s Law, Security & Public Policy Division (LSPP) is looking for an introductory Paralegal to join a team of intellectual property paralegals. This role will primarily support attorneys and business partners within Caterpillar’s Intellectual Property Department, providing legal support for patent enforcement activities.
The candidate will work directly with attorneys supporting patent enforcement initiatives within Caterpillar’s Intellectual Property (IP) Department, while also having opportunities to collaborate on matters involving other activities within the IP Department. The position will assist attorneys with legal tasks and special projects related to enforcement matters that support and protect the organization. The legal work will be under the direction of various attorneys but will require the ability to work independently.
What You Will Do:
- Support legal matters impacting Caterpillar’s IP Department, including patent enforcement efforts.
- Develop and maintain metrics related to enforcement efforts.
- Request, obtain and track various investigations related to enforcement activities.
- Conduct legal tasks, such as research and drafting of communications to business units, under the supervision of attorneys.
- Maintain repositories of legal documentation and procedures.
- Participate in specific team initiatives.
Top Candidates will also have:
- Paralegal experience in a law department or law firm, working with attorneys.
- Experience supporting patent enforcement activities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organization and process management skills.
What You Have:
- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- Confidentiality: Knowledge of practices and policies governing disclosure of information about the organization, its business activities, and employees; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
- Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
- Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
- Document Management: Knowledge of document management; ability to categorize, integrate, update, document and distribute business information in a secure, effective way.
- Legal Analysis: Knowledge of methods and tools used in legal analysis; ability to read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from both legal and factual information.
Additional Info:
- Position is located in Peoria, IL.
- Degree or paralegal certification is not required
- This is a fully onsite role Monday to Friday in office.
- Domestic relocation assistance is not available.
Summary Pay Range:
$72,360.00 - $108,540.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
- These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates:
October 30, 2026 - November 13, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsIntellectual Property Attorney Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Media & Entertainment
- Staffing & Recruiting
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in intellectual property attorney jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and active state bar admission
- USPTO registration as a patent attorney or patent agent for prosecution-focused roles
- Three or more years of experience handling patent prosecution, trademark clearance, or IP litigation
- Technical undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, computer science, chemistry, or life sciences
- Proficiency with IP docketing and management software such as CPA Global or Anaqua
- Experience drafting and negotiating IP agreements including licensing, assignment, and non-disclosure agreements
Tips for Your Intellectual Property Attorney Job Search
Tailor your resume to each IP practice area
Patent prosecution roles want to see your technical background and USPTO registration front and center, while litigation roles prioritize courtroom and briefing experience. Reorganize the order of your highlights depending on whether the job is transactional, contentious, or counseling-focused.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists intellectual property attorney openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Get your USPTO registration status clear
Many patent attorney roles specify registration number and bar admission separately. Confirm your USPTO registration is active and list both your registration number and the states where you are admitted to the bar, since some employers require multi-state licensing.
Target firms by their client industry mix
An IP boutique that serves semiconductor clients values a different technical background than one focused on consumer brands or life sciences. Research each firm's portfolio before applying so your cover letter reflects their actual client base, not IP law in the abstract.
Prepare technical scenarios for the interview
Interviewers at in-house positions routinely walk through a hypothetical patent claim or trademark clearance situation. Practice drafting a one-page claim summary or explaining freedom-to-operate analysis out loud so you can demonstrate analytical judgment, not just credentials.
Negotiate billing rate expectations before you accept
Law firm offers for intellectual property attorneys often tie compensation to a billable hour target that varies by department and client type. Ask specifically what the annual billable expectation is for IP associates versus litigation associates before signing, since they can differ significantly at the same firm.
Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most intellectual property attorneys?
The companies hiring the most intellectual property attorneys right now include Clarivate, Amazon, and Aon, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Technology, pharmaceutical, and full-service law firms consistently account for the highest volume of openings nationwide.
How many intellectual property attorney jobs are remote?
About 69% of intellectual property attorney openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting demand for flexibility across a largely document-driven practice. Trademark prosecution, IP licensing, and copyright counseling roles tend to be most amenable to remote arrangements, while courtroom-heavy patent litigation positions are more likely to require in-office or on-site presence.
How do you become an intellectual property attorney?
You earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited school, pass the bar in at least one state, and then pursue USPTO registration if you plan to handle patent matters, which requires a qualifying technical degree or equivalent coursework. Many practitioners gain their first IP experience through a law school clinic, a clerkship at a patent-focused firm, or an in-house rotation at a technology or life sciences company.
How do you get hired as an intellectual property attorney with little experience?
Entry-level candidates with a technical undergraduate degree are competitive for patent prosecution associate roles even without prior IP work history, since firms train new attorneys on claim drafting. Pursuing a USPTO registration early, completing an IP-focused law school clinic, or securing a summer associate position at a boutique IP firm demonstrates commitment to the practice area and gives you concrete work samples to discuss in interviews.
What does the intellectual property attorney interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a screening call with a recruiter or hiring partner focused on your technical background and bar admissions, followed by one or two rounds of interviews with attorneys across the relevant practice group. Many firms include a written exercise such as a claim analysis, a mock client memo, or a patent claim redraft, and in-house roles often add a business-facing panel interview with product or engineering stakeholders.
Where can I find and apply to intellectual property attorney jobs?
You can find and apply to intellectual property attorney jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Find roles that fit your practice area focus and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the same page.
See All 81 Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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