Patent Agent Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Patent agent visa sponsorship jobs in California sit at the intersection of innovation and intellectual property law, with heavy demand from Silicon Valley tech giants, San Diego's biotech cluster, and Los Angeles-based aerospace and entertainment technology firms. Companies like Qualcomm, Genentech, Apple, and Google regularly seek patent agents with technical backgrounds in software, electrical engineering, and life sciences.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Dorsey’s Patent group is seeking a Patent Agent or Technical Advisor with fluency in Japanese and one to five years of patent prosecution experience to be located in our Seattle, Palo Alto, Denver, or Salt Lake City offices. Patent bar-eligible candidates with the right technology background and writing experience will also be considered. The ideal candidate will have a passion for understanding and writing about electrical technologies, including circuit and logic designs, semiconductor structures and fabrication processes, and artificial intelligence. All relevant technical backgrounds will be considered. Strong academic credentials and USPTO admission or eligibility are required.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct inventor interviews in preparation for drafting original patent applications.
Draft patent applications and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) and foreign jurisdictions via communications with local counsel.
Prepare office action responses for local and international patent applications.
File documents with the USPTO when required.
Perform patent searches, analyze invention disclosures, scientific or technical documents, and review issued patents in order to evaluate patent specific issues such as patentability and validity.
Conduct freedom to operate searches, competitive landscape searches, and review prior art.
Manage a U.S. and foreign patent prosecution docket such that deadlines are met.
Conduct interviews with examiners at the USPTO.
* Work closely with our collaborative team of attorneys, agents, paralegals, and legal assistants to ensure excellence in client service at all times.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
One to five years of agent/advisor experience.
At least a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
Strong academic performance.
Fluent in Japanese.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* USPTO admission.
We are looking for the right person, not just the right resume or experience level. Collegiality and teamwork are highly valued, and broad skills and curiosity can be as important as a specific technical degree.
ABOUT DORSEY
Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology. Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey’s benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)
One Of Our Greatest Strengths Is a Friendly, Cooperative Culture That Values And Appreciates Each Individual. Dorsey Has Received External Recognition For Our Welcoming Workplace, Including
Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
* Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.
HOW TO APPLY
Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the “Careers” section of the Dorsey website and complete Dorsey’s online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status. Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position in Seattle, Denver or Palo Alto is an annual salary of $90,000 to $185,000. This range represents Dorsey’s good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated. Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through January 14, 2026. Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening.
LOCATION
Seattle, WA
Denver, CO
Palo Alto, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
INTRODUCTION
Dorsey’s Patent group is seeking a Patent Agent or Technical Advisor with fluency in Japanese and one to five years of patent prosecution experience to be located in our Seattle, Palo Alto, Denver, or Salt Lake City offices. Patent bar-eligible candidates with the right technology background and writing experience will also be considered. The ideal candidate will have a passion for understanding and writing about electrical technologies, including circuit and logic designs, semiconductor structures and fabrication processes, and artificial intelligence. All relevant technical backgrounds will be considered. Strong academic credentials and USPTO admission or eligibility are required.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct inventor interviews in preparation for drafting original patent applications.
Draft patent applications and prosecute patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark office (USPTO) and foreign jurisdictions via communications with local counsel.
Prepare office action responses for local and international patent applications.
File documents with the USPTO when required.
Perform patent searches, analyze invention disclosures, scientific or technical documents, and review issued patents in order to evaluate patent specific issues such as patentability and validity.
Conduct freedom to operate searches, competitive landscape searches, and review prior art.
Manage a U.S. and foreign patent prosecution docket such that deadlines are met.
Conduct interviews with examiners at the USPTO.
* Work closely with our collaborative team of attorneys, agents, paralegals, and legal assistants to ensure excellence in client service at all times.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
One to five years of agent/advisor experience.
At least a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
Strong academic performance.
Fluent in Japanese.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* USPTO admission.
We are looking for the right person, not just the right resume or experience level. Collegiality and teamwork are highly valued, and broad skills and curiosity can be as important as a specific technical degree.
ABOUT DORSEY
Dorsey & Whitney is a global law firm with over 650 lawyers across 22 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We provide strategic legal counsel to companies worldwide across a diverse range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology. Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey’s benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.)
One Of Our Greatest Strengths Is a Friendly, Cooperative Culture That Values And Appreciates Each Individual. Dorsey Has Received External Recognition For Our Welcoming Workplace, Including
Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab)
Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers)
100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum)
* Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178.
HOW TO APPLY
Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the “Careers” section of the Dorsey website and complete Dorsey’s online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status. Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position in Seattle, Denver or Palo Alto is an annual salary of $90,000 to $185,000. This range represents Dorsey’s good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated. Dorsey estimates it will accept applications through January 14, 2026. Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening.
LOCATION
Seattle, WA
Denver, CO
Palo Alto, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Patent Agent Job Roles in California
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Search Patent Agent Jobs in CaliforniaPatent Agent Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for patent agents in California?
California's most active sponsors for patent agents include large technology companies such as Apple, Google, and Qualcomm in the Bay Area, life sciences firms like Genentech and Illumina in San Diego, and semiconductor companies throughout Silicon Valley. Established intellectual property law firms with California offices also sponsor patent agents, particularly those with technical degrees in electrical engineering, software, chemistry, or biology.
Which visa types realistically fit patent agent roles in California?
Patent agent roles are specialty occupations requiring a technically relevant bachelor's degree, so H-1B visa is the most common pathway. H-1B1 visa applies to Chilean and Singaporean nationals, and E-3 visa applies to Australian nationals, both also requiring specialty occupation status. F-1 students may work via OPT while pursuing a permanent option. EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green cards are typical long-term routes, usually requiring PERM labor certification.
Which cities in California have the most patent agent sponsorship jobs?
San Jose and the broader Silicon Valley corridor generate the highest concentration of patent agent sponsorship opportunities, driven by the density of technology and semiconductor firms. San Diego is a strong second for life sciences and biotech patent work. San Francisco and Oakland add opportunities in software and clean technology. Los Angeles has growing demand in aerospace, entertainment technology, and medical devices.
How to find patent agent visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists California employers with verified visa sponsorship history for patent agent roles, letting you focus on companies that have demonstrated willingness to sponsor rather than those that only occasionally do. Search by city to target Silicon Valley, San Diego, or Los Angeles hubs. Having a USPTO registration or pending registration, combined with a technical degree, strengthens your profile with California employers on the platform.
Are there state-specific factors that affect patent agent hiring and sponsorship in California?
California's strong university pipeline through UC Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, and UC San Diego produces technically trained graduates who pursue patent agent careers, creating competitive but well-established hiring pathways. California employers in biotech and software tend to require USPTO registration or eligibility. The state's concentration of R&D spending means patent agent roles are closely tied to active patent prosecution work rather than purely administrative functions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored patent agent jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.