Patent Prosecution Fundamentals Training Program (Entry-Level Legal Training)

Who are we?

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.

What is the Patent Prosecution Fundamentals Training Program?

The Patent Prosecution Fundamentals Training is our one-of-a-kind training program for Project Assistant positions on our Prosecution Support Services team which consists of Docketing, Foreign Filing, and U.S. Patent Prosecution departments. Our program is a 8-weeks hands-on training program that includes classroom lectures and learning, hands-on practice, presentations from our own industry experts, and support from experienced mentors. The program runs in-person from January 26, 2026 to March 20, 2026.

We expect employees to be present for all 8 weeks with no vacation plans during the training barring any sickness and family emergencies. It is crucial for employees to be present in this classroom learning environment. After the training, Project Assistants are expected to be in the office at least 2-3 days per week depending on department need.

Where does the Patent Prosecution Fundamentals Training Program lead?

Successful candidates can look forward to a full-time job as Prosecution Support Services Project Assistant supporting the Docketing, Foreign Filing, and U.S. Patent Prosecution departments, and then eventually transitioning to a department. A successful Project Assistant proactively takes responsibility and ownership for work and projects assigned to them. This role is particularly suited for folks with some office or customer service experience that are interested in starting a career in legal support work focused on intellectual property . Some responsibilities after the training include :

Docketing

• Processing corrections / revisions of docket related information in firm databases and department records as instructed.
• Processing and docketing due dates for incoming correspondence related to U.S. and foreign matters as instructed and on a daily basis in accordance with department procedures and service level agreements.
• Updating docket based on docket clearing instructions received by email, daily docket, docket reports, or other methods, in accordance with department procedures.

Foreign Filing

U.S. Patent Prosecution

What will you bring to the role?

The base salary for this position is $52,500 plus full benefits : health, dental, vision, 401(k) participation after a month, pre-tax Metro and parking benefits, and many more.

To Apply

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.