Closing Date: 30th September, 2026
Description:
Summary:Kickstart your career at America's Innovation Agency, whose mission is to drive U.S. innovation and global competitiveness for the benefit of all Americans. The United States Patent and Trademark Office seeks talented professionals to serve as Patent Attorneys (Law Clerks) to assist Administrative Patent Judges (APJs) in deciding appeals from adverse decisions of patent examiners and to assist APJs in America Invents Act (AIA) trial proceedings.
Duties:
The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Va.
This position is located in the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB), Office of the Under Secretary & Director (U/DIR), United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). This position is a full-time, temporary appointment, with a one-year term that will typically end around 1 October 2028. The incumbent of this position will be a Patent Attorney serving as a Law Clerk.
This role is the ideal next career step for you if:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
The USPTO sets minimum qualifications for Attorney clerk positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. These qualifications include: (1) technical skills meeting the education requirements below; and (2) a law degree prior to the start date.
Education:
To meet minimum eligibility requirements for this position, applicants must:
Possess a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctor of Philosophy degree (referred to as "degree(s)") in a recognized technical subject.
Applicant must establish possession of the necessary scientific and technical training by providing a transcript showing that a degree was awarded in one of the following subjects by an accredited U.S. college or university, or that the equivalent was awarded by a foreign university in one of the following subjects:
This position is located in the Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB), Office of the Under Secretary & Director (U/DIR), United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). This position is a full-time, temporary appointment, with a one-year term that will typically end around 1 October 2028. The incumbent of this position will be a Patent Attorney serving as a Law Clerk.
This role is the ideal next career step for you if:
- You want to learn what it is like to assist APJs in addressing appeals from adverse decisions of Examiners regarding patent applications, reissue applications, and reexamination requests; adjudicating Inter Partes Review proceedings, Post-Grant Review proceedings, and Derivation proceedings; conducting interference proceedings; and participating in other projects critical to the PTAB's mission.
- You're eager to engage in research and writing to assist APJs in the disposition of cases from the various jurisdictions of the PTAB, including assisting in the preparation of decisions on appeal and decisions in AIA trial proceedings, for example, decisions on institution, declarations of interference, orders on motions, and final written decisions.
- You want to play a key role in reviewing and analyzing briefs, answers, and evidence of record in appeals and AIA trial proceedings, and in identifying all relevant factual and legal issues raised by patent applicants, petitioners, patent owners, and/or third-party requesters, leading to the ultimate adjudication of appeals and AIA trial proceedings.
- You want to hone your legal skills by researching statutes, legislative history, relevant case law, and applicable USPTO rules, regulations, standards, and procedures, as needed, to analyze issues and points of law for particular matters or to support the PTAB's overall mission; preparing written work product including legal memoranda, bench briefs, orders, and decisions; assisting in proofreading orders and decisions, verifying citations, and ensuring procedural requirements; assisting with docket management; assisting with scheduling and conducting conference calls; and assisting with other projects critical to the Board's mission.
- You're passionate about researching and drafting memoranda for special projects and initiatives concerning patent laws, statutes, and USPTO policy at the direction of and under the supervision of the agency's management.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
- Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
- You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
- Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year trial period.
- You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
- Suitable for Federal Employment
- This position requires the completion of the OF-450 Financial Disclosure Statement.
Qualifications:
The USPTO sets minimum qualifications for Attorney clerk positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. These qualifications include: (1) technical skills meeting the education requirements below; and (2) a law degree prior to the start date.
Education:
To meet minimum eligibility requirements for this position, applicants must:
Possess a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctor of Philosophy degree (referred to as "degree(s)") in a recognized technical subject.
Applicant must establish possession of the necessary scientific and technical training by providing a transcript showing that a degree was awarded in one of the following subjects by an accredited U.S. college or university, or that the equivalent was awarded by a foreign university in one of the following subjects:
1. Engineering (Eng.) Physics 2. Environmental Eng. 3. Gen. Eng. 4. Genetic Eng. 5. Geological Eng. 6. Industrial Eng. 7. Marine Eng. 8. Materials Eng. 9. Mechanical Eng. 10. Metallurgical Eng. 11. Mining Eng. 12. Nuclear Eng. 13. Ocean Eng. 14. Petroleum Eng. 15. Textile Eng. 16. Biology 17. Biochemistry 18. Biological Science 19. Biophysics 20. Botany 21. Computer Science* 22. Electronics Technology 23. Food Technology 24. General Chemistry 25. Genetics 26. Marine Technology 27. Materials Science 28. Microbiology 29. Molecular Biology 30. Neuroscience 31. Organic Chemistry 32. Pharmacology 33. Physics 34. Textile Technology 35. Aerospace Eng. 36. Aeronautical Eng. 37. Agricultural Eng. 38. Bioengineering 39. Biomedical Eng. 40. Ceramic Eng. 41. Chemical Eng. 42. Civil Eng. 43. Computer Eng. 44. Electrical Eng. 45. Electrochemical Eng. 46. Electronics Eng.
For more information regarding acceptable Computer Science degrees, visit https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/OED_GRB.pdf.
Degrees In Other Subjects: Applicant with a degree in a subject not listed above, such as Pharmacy, Mechanical Technology, or a Computer Science degree from an institution that was not accredited by the CSAC of the CSAB or by the CAC of ABET on or before the date the degree was awarded, must establish Applicant possesses the necessary scientific and technical training under either sections B or C below.
Or
Possess a Degree in Another Subject Other than The Degrees Listed in Section A.
Applicant Must Establish Possession of Scientific and Technical Training Equivalent to That Received at An Accredited U.S. College or University for A Degree in One of The Subjects Listed in Section A. to Establish Such Equivalence, Applicant Can Satisfy One of The Following Four Options, Other Training, or Other Education Listed Below. Applicant Must Submit the Necessary Documentation and Objective Evidence Showing Satisfaction of One of The Options or Other Means of Qualifying.
Option 1: 24 Semester Hours in Physics. only Physics Courses for Physics Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 2: 32 Semester Hours in A Combination Consisting of The Following: 8 Semester Hours in A Combination of Chemistry and Physics, with At Least One Course Including a Lab, and 24 Semester Hours in Biology, Botany, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology. only Courses for Science or Engineering Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 3: 30 Semester Hours in Chemistry. only Chemistry Courses for Chemistry Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 4: 40 Semester Hours in A Combination Consisting of The Following: 8 Semester Hours in A Combination of Chemistry, Physics, And/or Biology, with At Least One Course Including a Lab, and 32 Semester Hours of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Engineering. only Courses for Science or Engineering Majors Will Be Accepted. for Computer Science, See Other "other Acceptable Course Work." All Acceptable Coursework for Options 2 and 4 Must Be for Science or Engineering Majors.
Or
Possess Practical Engineering or Scientific Experience.
Applicant Relying on Practical Engineering or Scientific Experience, or Who Does Not Qualify Under Section a Or B Above, May Establish the Required Technical Training by Demonstrating Applicant Has Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (fe) Test. Applicant Attempting to Qualify Under This Section Must Submit a Transcript Showing the Award of A Bachelor's Degree.
Or
Provide Evidence that Applicant Has Successfully Passed the Uspto Registration Exam.
Evidence Includes a Copy of The Notice Stating that You Passed the Examination from The Uspto. Please Refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url%3DGeneral-Policies) for More Information. You Are Not Required to Submit Official Documents at This Time; Copies Are Sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying Education from Colleges and Universities in Foreign Countries Must Be Evaluated in Terms of Equivalency to That Acquired in U.S. Colleges and Universities. Applicants Educated in Whole or In Part in Foreign Countries Must Submit Sufficient Evidence, Including Transcripts, to An Accredited Private Organization for An Equivalency Evaluation of Course Work and Degree. a Listing of These Accredited Organizations Can Be Found on The Department of Education's Website
Us Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/). Another Listing of Services that Can Perform This Evaluation Is Available at The (national Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces) (https://naces.org/) Website. You Must Provide a Copy of The Letter Containing the Results of The Equivalency Evaluation with A Course-By-Course Listing Along with Your Application. Failure to Provide Such Documentation when Req
Degrees In Other Subjects: Applicant with a degree in a subject not listed above, such as Pharmacy, Mechanical Technology, or a Computer Science degree from an institution that was not accredited by the CSAC of the CSAB or by the CAC of ABET on or before the date the degree was awarded, must establish Applicant possesses the necessary scientific and technical training under either sections B or C below.
Or
Possess a Degree in Another Subject Other than The Degrees Listed in Section A.
Applicant Must Establish Possession of Scientific and Technical Training Equivalent to That Received at An Accredited U.S. College or University for A Degree in One of The Subjects Listed in Section A. to Establish Such Equivalence, Applicant Can Satisfy One of The Following Four Options, Other Training, or Other Education Listed Below. Applicant Must Submit the Necessary Documentation and Objective Evidence Showing Satisfaction of One of The Options or Other Means of Qualifying.
Option 1: 24 Semester Hours in Physics. only Physics Courses for Physics Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 2: 32 Semester Hours in A Combination Consisting of The Following: 8 Semester Hours in A Combination of Chemistry and Physics, with At Least One Course Including a Lab, and 24 Semester Hours in Biology, Botany, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology. only Courses for Science or Engineering Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 3: 30 Semester Hours in Chemistry. only Chemistry Courses for Chemistry Majors Will Be Accepted.
Option 4: 40 Semester Hours in A Combination Consisting of The Following: 8 Semester Hours in A Combination of Chemistry, Physics, And/or Biology, with At Least One Course Including a Lab, and 32 Semester Hours of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Engineering. only Courses for Science or Engineering Majors Will Be Accepted. for Computer Science, See Other "other Acceptable Course Work." All Acceptable Coursework for Options 2 and 4 Must Be for Science or Engineering Majors.
Or
Possess Practical Engineering or Scientific Experience.
Applicant Relying on Practical Engineering or Scientific Experience, or Who Does Not Qualify Under Section a Or B Above, May Establish the Required Technical Training by Demonstrating Applicant Has Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (fe) Test. Applicant Attempting to Qualify Under This Section Must Submit a Transcript Showing the Award of A Bachelor's Degree.
Or
Provide Evidence that Applicant Has Successfully Passed the Uspto Registration Exam.
Evidence Includes a Copy of The Notice Stating that You Passed the Examination from The Uspto. Please Refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url%3DGeneral-Policies) for More Information. You Are Not Required to Submit Official Documents at This Time; Copies Are Sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying Education from Colleges and Universities in Foreign Countries Must Be Evaluated in Terms of Equivalency to That Acquired in U.S. Colleges and Universities. Applicants Educated in Whole or In Part in Foreign Countries Must Submit Sufficient Evidence, Including Transcripts, to An Accredited Private Organization for An Equivalency Evaluation of Course Work and Degree. a Listing of These Accredited Organizations Can Be Found on The Department of Education's Website
Us Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/). Another Listing of Services that Can Perform This Evaluation Is Available at The (national Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces) (https://naces.org/) Website. You Must Provide a Copy of The Letter Containing the Results of The Equivalency Evaluation with A Course-By-Course Listing Along with Your Application. Failure to Provide Such Documentation when Req
