If you’ve got a passion for patents, or years of technological experience under your belt, this one-office wonder will welcome you to IP’s big leagues.
Sterne Kessler Lateral Profile 2024
Despite such a small headcount – by BigLaw standards, at least – Sterne Kessler’s a true IP hotshot. “The firm punches well above its weight,” one associate interviewee raved, and that’s a reputation backed up by our colleagues at Chambers USA. In fact, Sterne Kessler is the only firm in DC to pick up a top-tier ranking in patent prosecution, and has for four years in a row! According to managing director Michael Ray, the magical formula behind this is the firm’s 50-50 split between traditional patent and trademark work (such as prosecution, counseling and analysis) and litigation. “That adds a nice variety and it means our practices support one another. Litigators help other lawyers understand the full life cycle of IP matters, and those litigators can also pull in experienced patent prosecutors to help them analyze patents and complex technology,” he explains. “We’ve got so many tools and so much experience that allows us to take a holistic approach to IP problems.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“It was less hierarchical than other firms. The firm encourages people to speak up during meetings and participate. Younger attorneys get more opportunities to take depositions and speak at hearings.”
“Since everyone is focused on one area of law, there is a great deal we share in common. I joined the trial and appellate group, but it is clear to me how the firm's solid foundation as a prosecution firm makes it feel different than other litigation practices.”
“We take our work seriously; we don’t take ourselves seriously. There isn’t any arrogance at the firm despite the excellence and reputation. The leaders here focus on delivering the best work for the clients and setting the tone for the young associates. I have many people to look up to and learn from at the firm.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2024
Biotechnology & chemical (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: Our Biotechnology & Chemistry practice group works on the cutting edge of innovation in the life sciences, industrial biotechnology, specialty chemicals, and materials science. Our team represents award-winning technologies such as Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (the first immunotherapy approved for cancer treatment), AbbVie’s Humira, the University of California’s CRISPR gene-editing technology, and many other game-changing technologies. We also represent some of the largest generic drug companies in the world, helping them navigate a pathway to offering lower-cost, lifesaving drugs in the US market. We are an early leader in bringing biosimilar technologies to market in the US. Most importantly, we have the best team in biotechology and chemical IP – a team deep with scientific training (>40 Ph.D.s and many more advanced technical degrees) and legal acumen.
Electronics (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: We are among the first to see the newest developments in a number of technology areas (wireless, semiconductors, nanotech, optics, lasers and LEDs, software and apps, etc.). Our work is overwhelmingly done directly with and for inventors – not U.S. applications originated by foreign law firms. Associates work directly with the most inventive minds in the US.
Our commitment to patent prep/pros ensures that our people and teams have a deep understanding of patents (the real cornerstone of IP). We have an integrated litigation practice that puts a high value on technical expertise and patent knowledge – you don’t have to be a litigator to play an integral role in IP litigation at Sterne Kessler.
We have a long-established training program of one-on-one, group, and external training courses that help to build, maintain, and fine tune fundamental knowledge and writing skills needed to be a fully rounded attorney.
Mechanical & design (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: Our Mechanical & Design practice represents some of the most well-known brand name companies in the world including Apple, Pepsi, adidas, TaylorMade Golf, Oakley, and many more. Sterne Kessler Associates work on innovations for companies that are household names. Our design patent team is regularly lauded as among the most productive and best in the the world. We secured the design patents that were at the center of Apple v. Samsung, creating a judgment and final settlement in excess of a half billion dollars.
Our Mechanical patent team works on diverse, cutting-edge technologies across a wide range of industries including medical devices, laboratory equipment, sports equipment, wearable electronics, automotive parts and systems, and many others.
The practice has a diverse body of client work including a robust patent prosecution practice (both design patents and utility patents in the mechanical arts), a leading PTAB litigation practice, and active engagement in district court and ITC litigation.
Trial & appellate careers
The view from the firm: Our Trial & Appellate practice provides an opportunity to work across diverse technologies and venues – ensuring that as an associate’s career advances, their knowledge, experience, and skills will grow as well. Our practice at the US International Trade Commission is in the top 5% of the most active practices at the ITC year after year. We represent both complainants and respondents at the ITC across technologies as diverse as LED lighting, biotechnology (anti-venom), road milling machinery, e-cigarettes, RFID sensors, and many others. Likewise, our district court litigation practice represents a diverse cross-section of technologies –pharmaceuticals, flat panel displays, state-of-the-art golf clubs, telecommunications systems, network security software, and many more. Our district court practice includes one of the finest ANDA litigation practices in the US, representing some of the largest and most sophisticated drug companies in the world.
We are able to leverage and gain synergy with one of the top PTAB litigation practices in the US. Our litigators are quite adept at working across venues – including across jurisdictions beyond the US. We integrate effectively with Sterne Kessler’s technology and patent practices. This enables us to tap deep into the technical expertise of our 50+ Ph.D.s and the patent knowledge of our industry leading prosecution practice, arming our courtroom litigators with a tremendous advantage. Our appellate practice is staffed by a team of former Supreme Court, Federal Circuit, and other appellate clerks. Our appellate practice is among the most active at the Federal Circuit. Some of our litigation clients include Volkswagen Group of America, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and Roku.
Intellectual property - patent trial and appeals board litigation careers
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler has industry-leading experience in all proceedings before the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including interferences, inter partes review (IPR), post grant review (PGR), covered business methods reviews (CBM), derivation proceedings, re-examination and opposition. We were named the first "PTAB Firm of the Year", given that we literally wrote the book on PTO litigation! We have litigated over 1,000 PTAB proceedings—more than nearly any other firm. Having the leading PTAB practice has a number of benefits. Associates will become a better IP lawyer by seeing the strengths and weaknesses in our own and others’ patents as well as getting a diverse experience working on a healthy balance of both Patent Owner and Petitioner sides of cases.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
6 |
0.7 : 1 |
85% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
85% |
81% |
81% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: We offer substantive training programs and an active professional development program to prepare our attorneys for the unique challenges associated with the practice of intellectual property law. Our substantive and comprehensive training programs provide our attorneys with the preparation they need to develop and hone their core skills and legal judgment at each stage of their career. In addition to our seniority-based substantive legal training, each associate is paired with a partner who is responsible for their integration into the work and culture of the firm. This partner, or Professional Development Advisor, is uniquely positioned to help each associate achieve their individualized career goals. To supplement an attorney’s Professional Development Advisor, associates who are 6th years and more senior are also eligible to be paired with a Senior Advisor. This Senior Advisor and Professional Development Advisor comprise the associate’s Career Advisory Panel to provide insights and advice as associates consider further career development opportunities, including partnership at the firm.
Hours & Compensation
|
flexible |
10.6 |
45.2 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
63% |
63% |
59% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $190,000 - $225,000
2nd year: $200,000 - $235,000
3rd year: $225,000 - $260,000
*The firm did not disclose salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler is committed to ensuring that all our attorneys have the opportunity to balance their work and life commitments by participating in our Flexible Hours Program. All attorneys have the opportunity to select their billable hour goal, which can range from 1400 hours to 2000 hours. Bonus amounts are determined based on objective factors (e.g. billable hours) and subjective factors (e.g. doing high quality and creative legal work, assisting with client management and client development, assisting with marketing and branding of the firm, training/mentoring other timekeepers, working on behalf of firm committees, participating in organizations that enhance the firm’s visibility and stature, as well as other contributions to the firm). Sterne Kessler has an active pro bono practice, and hours worked for our pro bono clients are counted toward billable hours goals, exactly the same as hours worked for our commercial clients.
Is Sterne Kessler the right firm for you?
|
78% |
89% |
89% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler practitioners include patent and trademark prosecutors, litigators and appellate attorneys, as well as scientists and engineers working as patent agents and technical specialists in a diverse and vibrant culture unlike any other. We combine our technical minds and legal muscle with the goal of having the right individuals around the table — those that have the most relevant experience and background related to the technology and the legal issues in play.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I love that so many lawyers at Sterne Kessler are also scientists. I think it creates a more balanced firm culture – too many lawyer-lawyers seems to turn toxic in my experience.”
“I think people at the firm are genuinely friends and enjoy being around each other. I like that we are a one office firm because I felt it fostered the camaraderie and community that I was interested in joining.”
“Every person on the team is a valued member of the team and treated with respect.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
78% |
24% |
27% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/matters/cases |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: The firm is Mansfield Rule Certified and has registered to be re-certified in July of 2024. The firm continues to observe Heritage Month Celebrations and Diversity Awareness Month in October. The 1L Diversity Summer Fellowship Scholarship continues to be a successful recruiting opportunity.
Pro Bono
|
30 |
67% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Ecoflora Cares (IP and human rights); Karen Howell (criminal law – post-conviction); Military-Veterans Advocacy (veterans law); DC Bar Association Small Business IP Legal Clinic; Cardozo Patent Diversity Project (patent prosecution and IP counseling).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Cassandra Kowal, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition
202-772-8830