Senior Patent & Trademark Attorney

The Dennemeyer Group offers high-quality services for the protection and management of Intellectual Property rights and is committed to being the first-choice partner for customers globally. With just over 60 years of experience in the industry and 20+ offices worldwide, Dennemeyer manages nearly three million IP rights of around 8,000 customers.

We are seeking a dynamic and driven Senior Patent & Trademark Attorney to join and lead our growing intellectual property practice in Chicago, in a practice management and development capacity. This is a strategic leadership position for someone who thrives on building a practice, leading teams, and delivering high-level IP counsel to clients.

The ideal candidate is not only a skilled legal strategist, but also a business-minded leader who is energized by mentoring attorneys, managing client relationships, and helping grow our firm’s reputation in the IP space. While experience in both patents and trademarks is highly valued, this role leans heavily into patent work.

The ideal candidate possesses a combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and leadership skills, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of intellectual property. Preferred candidates will be a licensed U.S. Attorney and a registered Patent and Trademark Attorney with the USPTO. A technical background in either the life sciences or the digital/electronics field would be advantageous, but not indispensable.

Your Responsibilities

Legal & Strategic Work

• Developing and implementing the firm's strategic plan.
• Lead and manage complex IP legal cases and litigation, from prosecution to enforcement.
• Ensuring the firm's compliance with legal regulations and professional ethics.
• Responsibility for the firm's P&L.

Team & Leadership

• Leading, managing and mentor D&A's team and support staff.
• Serve as a hands-on leader and role model for junior attorneys and support staff.
• Mentor and develop legal talent within the team through feedback, training, and guidance.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with the firm’s values.

Practice & Client Engagement

• Overseeing D&A LLC's portfolio of clients, providing senior-level strategic advice and ensuring their IP needs are met.
• Cultivate and manage long-term client relationships through clear communication and expert service.
• Identify and pursue new business development opportunities with existing and prospective clients, hand in hand with Dennemeyer’s Commercial colleagues.
• Representing the firm at meetings, events, and public engagements.

Your Profile

• At least 10 years of experience in the IP legal field, with a proven track record of professional excellence.
• Strong leadership and management abilities, and excellent communication skills.
• Educated to Masters-level in a STEM field
• Professionally qualified and Bar-registered as US Patent Attorney
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois
• Strong knowledge and experience of client relationship management and IP private practice (patent, trademark), with proven track in casework (drafting, filing, prosecuting)
• Knowledge and experience of opposition and appeal procedures
• Knowledge and experience of managing professional teams for quality and growth
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an international team
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to build and expand a practice, preferred
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines

Dennemeyer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Dennemeyer does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.