Senior Counsel for Patent Law and Litigation

The Senior Counsel for Patent Law and Litigation oversee the Solicitors Office decisions on whether to intervene in appeals from PTAB decisions in AIA post-issuance proceedings and advises the USPTO regarding the rules governing post-issuance proceedings. The incumbent oversees inter partes appellate litigation caseload; handles Federal Circuit appeals in patent cases; renders legal and policy advice on patent matters through the General Counsel to the Under Secretary and Director of the USPTO the Solicitor Deputy Solicitor and other members of the USPTOs senior staff.

The incumbent oversees the preparation of intervention and amicus memoranda in patent law cases interfaces with the PTAB and the Patents organization on recurring issues in inter partes cases and helps supervise the preparation of briefs and arguments in inter partes cases.

Additional duties and responsibilities of the Senior Counsel for Patent Law and Litigation include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate the Solicitors Office efforts in district court litigation involving patents;
• Draft and review proposed revisions to the patent statutes rules and manuals of examining procedure;
• Review briefs to be filed by the Solicitors Office in patent cases;
• Advise and conduct training for Associate Solicitors; and be responsible for special projects including budgetary IT and training issues;
• Represent the Solicitor or Deputy Solicitor at meetings; and serve in acting role in the Solicitors and Deputy Solicitors absence.

Conditions of employment

• Refer to Additional Information.
• Click Print View to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• If this is your first federal appointment you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Current federal service employees may be given a new appointment and a new probationary period may be required.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ().
• This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
• Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) will be required within the first 30 days of appointment.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum requirements for a Senior Level position candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with directly related experience. Typically experience of this nature will have been gained at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) for this position in their two-page resume and this experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show the candidate possesses the required subject matter expertise and technical qualifications set forth below.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

To be considered the resume must not exceed two pages. Written narratives for the Professional Technical Qualifications are not required. Candidates must demonstrate their experience meets the Professional Technical Qualifications for this position in their two-page resume.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQS):

1. Demonstrated knowledge of patent law reform litigation and preparation of briefs.
2. Demonstated ability to oversee and litigate federal court cases that involve patent matters including matters flowing from Patent Trial and Appeal Board post grant trials.