Mid-Level Patent Attorney (Life Sciences / Chemistry)
Job Type
Full-time
Description


This is not just another attorney role. This is a leverage role. 


If you’re a solid patent attorney but tired of: 

  • Producing work with no influence  
  • Working in broken systems you can’t fix  
  • Managing chaos without authority  

This is your opportunity to step into a role where you build, lead, and scale


What This Role Actually Does 


You will operate as both a high-level contributor and internal leader

  • Draft and prosecute complex patent matters  
  • Handle client communication and relationship support  
  • Oversee legal assistants (workflow, deadlines, quality)  
  • Build and improve internal legal workflows  
  • Act as the right hand to the CEO on legal operations  

This role is about production + leverage


What You’ll Be Measured On 

  • Billables, realization rate, and budget targets
  • Quality (minimal CEO revisions, zero errors)  
  • Team leverage (how effectively assistants are utilized)  
  • Workflow improvement (things get smoother, not messier)  
  • Reduction of CEO involvement in day-to-day legal ops  

What Success Looks Like 


By 30 days:
You’re producing work and understanding systems + team 

By 60 days:
You’re managing assistants, running check-ins, fixing friction points 

By 90 days:
You are owning legal workflows, acting as QA layer before CEO, reducing CEO time spent on filings + oversight  


This Role Is NOT For You If: 

  • You only want to produce work and not lead  
  • You’ve never successfully managed support staff  
  • You wait for permission instead of solving problems  
  • You resist ambiguity or evolving systems  
  • You lack the interpersonal skills to lead respectfully  
Requirements


Required Background 

  • Chemistry / life sciences background (required)  
  • JD + Patent Bar +
  • Prior patent prosecution experience (multi-year)  
  • Demonstrated experience managing legal assistants or similar staff  
  • Experience improving or owning workflows (not just participating in them)  

The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here 

  • Operator mindset—you fix things, not just flag them  
  • Strong communicator (clear, direct, respectful)  
  • Highly organized and systems-oriented  
  • Humble but confident—no ego, no passivity  
  • Comfortable in a growing, non-corporate firm  

About Hylton-Rodic Law 


We are a boutique, growth-focused IP firm serving life sciences clients. 

We combine: 

  • High-quality legal work  
  • Strong client relationships  
  • A flexible, human-centered culture  

We are building a firm where: 

  • People do meaningful work  
  • Systems actually improve over time  
  • Growth creates opportunity—not burnout  

We offer: 

  • Reasonable billable expectations
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance 
  • 401(k) and commuter benefits 
  • Mental health days + birthday leave   
  • “Sunshine Fridays” (early Fridays when targets are met)   
  • A collaborative, respectful team environment   

Apply If You Want to Build, Not Just Bill 


If you want to: 

  • Step into real responsibility  
  • Help shape how a firm operates  
  • Grow into leadership  

Apply. 


If you just want a stable role where you execute tasks and go home—this is not that role. 


Application Requirements: 


Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in this role and in working at a smaller, non-corporate law firm. 

Salary Description
$160,000 – $200,000