BF&F encourages attorneys keen on supporting and growing the firm’s client base—as well as growing their own client base within the firm—to explore an opportunity with us.

Candidates for this position must:

• have a science degree, preferably an advanced degree, in the biological sciences, particularly chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or molecular biology;

• have a law degree;

• be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office;

• be a member in good standing of a state bar, preferably California (although for the right candidate we are open to those who are a member of the bar of the state in which they reside and would practice);

• have strong academic credentials; and

• have a track record of success.

Previous law firm or industry experience is preferred but not required.

Junior Associates work in a team with one of the partners or a senior patent agent while developing skills and becoming more efficient.

Senior Associates work autonomously or in a team with a partner as needed. Senior associates can elect to pursue a path toward becoming a member of the BF&F partnership.

Compensation is objectively merit-based and transparent.

A number of our associates have been with BF&F since the beginning of the firm, the beginning of their careers in patent law, or both. We would be happy to put selected candidates in touch with someone who can tell you what it is like working as an associate at BF&F.

If you are a patent agent looking to grow professionally, increase your client contact, and grow your client base, BF&F encourages you to explore an opportunity with us. BF&F provides patent agents an opportunity to be promoted to senior patent agent, and thus pursue a professional career path which parallels that of junior associate to senior associate.

Candidates for this position must:

• have a science degree—preferably an advanced degree—in the biological sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or molecular biology;

• be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office;

• have strong academic credentials; and

• have a track record of success.

Previous law firm or industry experience is preferred but not required.

Junior Patent Agents work in a team with one of the partners or a senior patent agent while developing skills and becoming more efficient.

Senior Patent Agents work autonomously before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or in a team with a partner as needed.

Compensation is objectively merit-based and transparent.

Many of our agents have been with BF&F for 10 years or more. We would be happy to put selected candidates in touch with someone who can tell you what it is like working as a patent agent at BF&F.

We are always seeking patent law-curious candidates for our Technical Advisor position. If you love science, find writing comes easily to you, and would enjoy working in a world where you can foster the transformation of inventions into assets, a Technical Advisor position at BF&F provides this opportunity. You can expect to work on interesting, cutting-edge technologies from day one, in addition to being mentored by some of the firm's most experienced practitioners.

Ideal candidates for this position must have:

• an advanced degree in the biological sciences—particularly chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or molecular biology;

• excellent writing, analytical, and communications skills;

• top academic credentials; and

• an eagerness and devotion to learning.

This is an entry level position that requires no prior experience in patent prosecution and does not require registration to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Technical Advisors are an integral part of the firm's practice. As a Technical Advisor, you will provide technical analysis and legal research for matters pending before the USPTO. You will work closely with senior patent agents and senior attorneys, including partners, to assist in writing patent applications, developing strategies and drafting responses to actions issued by the USPTO. In addition, you may be asked to research a particular technology and provide a detailed explanation as to how it works, determine the relevancy of scientific publications cited by an examiner against claims in a patent application, review and edit pre-publication manuscripts used for patent application drafting, and provide general scientific support.

During this process you will learn how to develop and draft scientific and legal arguments, write patent applications, and apply the laws and procedures for prosecuting patent applications. Moreover, many of the technologies that we work on at the firm are complicated, difficult to understand and may be foreign to you. Working in these technologies can make this position very rewarding for the scientifically curious.

You will be strongly encouraged to take the patent bar exam within the first two years of working at the firm. The expectation is that you will not remain a Technical Advisor, but instead that your professional growth will lead you to become a fully-fledged patent practitioner.

If you are scientifically inquisitive—and the position job sounds intriguing—we want to hear from you. We would be happy to put selected candidates in touch with someone who can share their experiences working as a technical advisor at BF&F.

The firm is always seeking motivated and inspired talent to join our Patent Assistant team. All employees—at every position—are integral to BF&F’s success. We strive to provide training and opportunities for professional growth to foster a challenging and rewarding work environment.

The Patent Assistant position is one of service. Patent Assistant job responsibilities include supporting the work of attorneys and/or patent agents to enhance their efficiency and overall productivity in their service to our clients.

Ideal candidates for this position should:

• have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree;

• have experience in the preparation of filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including filing of PCT applications;

• have experience with foreign filings and prosecution to facilitate instructions to our foreign associates;

• be able to prepare and take responsibility for a variety of correspondence, including but not limited to U.S. and foreign patent prosecution filings and Office Actions;

• be able to prepare reports, memoranda, legal documents and maintain attorney dockets;

• have a keen eye for detail;

• have excellent writing, analytical, and communications skills; and

• have an eagerness and devotion to teamwork, learning, and service to clients—both internal and external.

Many of our Patent Assistants have been with BF&F for 10 years or more. We would be happy to put selected candidates in touch with someone who can tell you what it is like working as a Patent Assistant at BF&F.