Protecting innovation through specialist patent talent
Patent attorney and patent agent recruitment
Larson Maddox helps law firms and in-house legal teams recruit patent attorneys and patent agents across a range of technical disciplines and industries.
We connect organisations with professionals who combine patent expertise with the scientific or technical knowledge required to understand complex inventions, manage intellectual property portfolios, and support innovation.
From patent prosecution and portfolio management to freedom-to-operate analysis, due diligence, licensing, and strategic IP advice, our recruiters help identify candidates whose qualifications and experience align with the work involved.
Patent Recruitment
Patent attorneys and patent agents
Different qualifications, shared technical expertise
Patent attorneys and patent agents both support the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications, but their qualifications and permitted scope of work differ.
Patent attorneys are licensed lawyers who may advise on a broader range of intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution, licensing, portfolio strategy, transactions, disputes, and litigation.
Patent agents are technical professionals registered to practice before the relevant patent authority. In the US, this typically means registration with the USPTO. They can prepare and prosecute patent applications but do not provide the wider legal services reserved for licensed attorneys.
Larson Maddox recruits both patent attorneys and patent agents, matching legal qualifications, technical backgrounds, industry experience, and patent practice expertise to the requirements of each role.
Patent roles we recruit
Larson Maddox recruits patent professionals across law firms, specialist IP practices, and in-house legal and intellectual property teams. Searches can be tailored around technical discipline, jurisdiction, patent authority registration, industry experience, and the balance between prosecution, strategy, licensing, and disputes.
We recruit for roles including:
- Patent Attorneys
- Patent Agents
- Patent Prosecution Attorneys
- Patent Engineers
- Technical Specialists
- Patent Counsel
- Patent Portfolio Managers
- Patent Litigation Attorneys
- Licensing and Technology Transactions Counsel
- Patent Department Leaders
- Trainee Patent Attorneys
- Patent Paralegals and Support Professionals
This can include USPTO-registered patent attorneys and agents with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, medical devices, and other technical fields.
Why organisations choose Larson Maddox for patent recruitment
Patent recruitment depends on finding professionals with the right combination of legal credentials, technical training, and subject-matter experience. Larson Maddox builds each search around the specific patent work, technology area, jurisdiction, and team structure involved.
Technical discipline alignment
We identify candidates whose scientific or engineering background matches the technology involved. Searches can be shaped around disciplines such as computer science, electrical or mechanical engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and medical devices.
Patent practice expertise
We assess the type of patent work each candidate has handled, including prosecution, litigation, licensing, portfolio management, freedom-to-operate analysis, due diligence, and strategic IP counseling.
Qualified specialist talent
Our searches can cover patent attorneys, USPTO-registered patent agents, patent engineers, technical specialists, and patent department leaders across law firms, specialist IP practices, and in-house teams.
Targeted search management
We define the legal and technical requirements, map the relevant candidate market, assess qualifications and practice fit, and manage the process through interviews, feedback, offers, and appointment.
TECHNICAL PATENT RECRUITMENT
Patent recruitment across innovative industries
The technical background required for a patent role often reflects the products, technologies, and intellectual property portfolio involved. Larson Maddox recruits patent attorneys, patent agents, and technical specialists across life sciences, technology, engineering, manufacturing, energy, and financial technology.
Our searches can be shaped around disciplines including biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, medical devices, semiconductors, and clean technology.
Recruitment across key industries
How we recruit patent professionals
Every search begins with a clear understanding of the patent work involved, the technical discipline required, and the qualifications needed for the role.
We clarify the patent practice, technology area, jurisdiction, registration requirements, level of seniority, and balance between prosecution, litigation, licensing, or portfolio strategy.
Our recruiters identify patent attorneys, patent agents, patent engineers, and technical specialists with the relevant qualifications and subject-matter background.
Candidates are evaluated against their legal credentials, registration status, technical education, industry exposure, and patent practice experience.
We coordinate interviews, gather feedback, support offer discussions, and maintain communication through to appointment.
For patent professionals
Considering your next patent role?
A new patent role should align with your technical background, legal qualifications, and the type of patent work you want to develop.
Larson Maddox supports patent attorneys, patent agents, patent engineers, and technical specialists considering opportunities across law firms, specialist IP practices, and in-house teams. We take the time to understand your technical discipline, registration status, prosecution or litigation experience, and longer-term career goals.
Our recruiters provide clear information on the practice, technology area, team structure, client or portfolio exposure, and progression available. Some patent searches are confidential and may not be publicly advertised.
Common questions about patent attorney and patent agent recruitment
Both registered patent attorneys and patent agents can represent applicants before the USPTO in patent matters. Patent attorneys are also licensed attorneys, while patent agents are not licensed to practice law more broadly. The right hire depends on whether the role is focused on patent prosecution or also involves wider legal advice, agreements, disputes, or litigation.
Larson Maddox recruits patent attorneys, patent agents, patent counsel, patent prosecution professionals, and senior patent practitioners for law firms and in-house legal teams. Searches can be shaped around the technical field, level of experience, jurisdiction, and type of patent work involved.
Yes. Patent recruitment often requires candidates whose scientific or engineering background aligns with the technologies involved. We can target professionals with experience across areas such as life sciences, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electrical engineering, software, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and medical devices.
We assess candidates against their technical background, USPTO registration status, patent prosecution experience, industry knowledge, portfolio exposure, drafting capabilities, and experience working with inventors, attorneys, and business stakeholders.
Yes. We recruit patent attorneys and patent agents for private practice and in-house legal departments. Law firm roles may involve supporting multiple clients and patent portfolios, while in-house positions are often more closely aligned with a company’s products, research, commercial strategy, and intellectual property portfolio.
Yes. Searches can focus on candidates who understand a particular technology, product area, scientific discipline, or regulated industry. This is especially important where the practitioner must understand complex inventions and communicate effectively with inventors and technical teams.
Yes. We can manage confidential searches for individual patent practitioners, senior appointments, succession requirements, or team growth where the role cannot be publicly advertised.
Share the technical area, type of patent work, required experience, location, and team structure through the enquiry form. A member of the Larson Maddox legal recruitment team will contact you to discuss the search and next steps.
Discuss your patent recruitment needs
Whether you are hiring a patent attorney, patent agent, patent counsel, or building out a wider patent team, share a few details below. A member of our legal recruitment team will contact you to discuss the technical background, patent experience, and team requirements involved.