The Technology Specialist role is within the firm's Intellectual Property practice, involving patent prosecution, client counseling, opinions, patent litigation, and IP transactional matters.
Core responsibilities include working with inventors; preparing patent applications and office action responses; conducting scientific and patent database searches; drafting instructions for foreign counsel; and assisting attorneys with patentability, validity, freedom-to-operate, and infringement opinions.
You will also assist lawyers in reviewing patent file histories and technical literature, and contribute to analyses of issues in patent litigation.
Requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a specialized Semiconductor Engineering program.
Industry experience and/or a PhD in semiconductor processing or manufacturing is preferred.
Candidates should possess strong academic credentials or prior work experience, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Prior patent law experience or U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registration is not required.
This position is part of a program that requires you to attend an ABA-accredited evening law school (day programs considered case-by-case) and obtain a Juris Doctor degree within four years.
Upon obtaining your JD, you are expected to take and pass the USPTO patent bar examination to become a registered patent agent.
There is an opportunity to participate in the firm's summer associate program during your third year of law school, with a potential offer for an associate position contingent on passing a state bar exam.
The firm provides a tuition reimbursement program for law school.
The annual salary for this role is structured as follows: $130,000 (not in law school), $150,000 (1st year in law school), $160,000 (2nd year in law school), $170,000 (3rd year in law school), and $215,000 (4th year in law school).

April 27, 2026

IP Technology Specialist - Tech/Semiconductor

Intellectual PropertyPatent Prosecution

WilmerHaleSilicon Valley

Practice area

Intellectual Property · Patent Prosecution

PQE

1+ years

Location

Silicon Valley, California

Employment type

Full-time

Overview

The Technology Specialist role is within the firm's Intellectual Property practice, involving patent prosecution, client counseling, opinions, patent litigation, and IP transactional matters.
Core responsibilities include working with inventors; preparing patent applications and office action responses; conducting scientific and patent database searches; drafting instructions for foreign counsel; and assisting attorneys with patentability, validity, freedom-to-operate, and infringement opinions.
You will also assist lawyers in reviewing patent file histories and technical literature, and contribute to analyses of issues in patent litigation.
Requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a specialized Semiconductor Engineering program.
Industry experience and/or a PhD in semiconductor processing or manufacturing is preferred.
Candidates should possess strong academic credentials or prior work experience, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Prior patent law experience or U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registration is not required.
This position is part of a program that requires you to attend an ABA-accredited evening law school (day programs considered case-by-case) and obtain a Juris Doctor degree within four years.
Upon obtaining your JD, you are expected to take and pass the USPTO patent bar examination to become a registered patent agent.
There is an opportunity to participate in the firm's summer associate program during your third year of law school, with a potential offer for an associate position contingent on passing a state bar exam.
The firm provides a tuition reimbursement program for law school.
The annual salary for this role is structured as follows: $130,000 (not in law school), $150,000 (1st year in law school), $160,000 (2nd year in law school), $170,000 (3rd year in law school), and $215,000 (4th year in law school).

Trusted recruiters

Work with a recruiter who has a real relationship with the hiring team and comes recommended by your peers.

Top recruiter for this opening
Priya Gulati
Legal Recruiter
Pacific Legal Search
Why talk to Priya Gulati?
Sherene T. joined WilmerHale's Los Angeles office in the Litigation group.
Priya is so fantastic that everyone in my family, and many of my friends, know her name. That's because I have been so impressed with her generosity and thoughtfulness that over the course of the past few years, I couldn't help but rave about her (even to all these non-lawyers)! I first connected with Priya when she cold-emailed me during the early days of COVID. I was a first-year associate facing a lot of uncertainty. Even though I didn't make a move then, Priya gave her time freely and became not only an invaluable resource, but also a friend. She also never oversold opportunities or pressured me in any way. When I was ready to make a move a few years later, she really had my best interests at heart. With her guidance, I received multiple offers from top firms and landed at WilmerHale. I will always recommend Priya wholeheartedly!
Sherene T.
WilmerHale • Los Angeles

Trusted recruiters

Work with a recruiter who has a real relationship with the hiring team and comes recommended by your peers.

Top recruiter for this opening
Priya Gulati
Legal Recruiter
Pacific Legal Search
Why talk to Priya Gulati?
Sherene T. joined WilmerHale's Los Angeles office in the Litigation group.
Priya is so fantastic that everyone in my family, and many of my friends, know her name. That's because I have been so impressed with her generosity and thoughtfulness that over the course of the past few years, I couldn't help but rave about her (even to all these non-lawyers)! I first connected with Priya when she cold-emailed me during the early days of COVID. I was a first-year associate facing a lot of uncertainty. Even though I didn't make a move then, Priya gave her time freely and became not only an invaluable resource, but also a friend. She also never oversold opportunities or pressured me in any way. When I was ready to make a move a few years later, she really had my best interests at heart. With her guidance, I received multiple offers from top firms and landed at WilmerHale. I will always recommend Priya wholeheartedly!
Sherene T.
WilmerHale • Los Angeles

Last updated: June 13, 2026

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