---
title: 'IP Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Patent Agent at Barnes & Thornburg LLP'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ip-mechanical-electrical-engineering-patent-agent-barnes-thornburg-llp-mb6cd848d6qc'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# IP Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Patent Agent at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

- **Company:** Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- **Location:** Minneapolis, MN
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-08-18
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/barnes/796b7116-5c1f-4d9d-bc59-d9e6054973d3

## Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Experience: 3–5 Years

Practice Area: Intellectual Property – Patent Prosecution (Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering)

Barnes & Thornburg’s nationally recognized intellectual property practice delivers the strength of a powerhouse IP boutique housed within a full-service AmLaw 100 firm. With 125+ dedicated IP attorneys and agents, we have one of the largest and most technically skilled IP teams in the country, earning consistent recognition in Chambers USA, IAM Patent 1000, World Trademark Review 1000, and IP Stars. Our practitioners advise clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies, who call us "the absolute best" and their "go-to for all things intellectual property."

Position Overview

We are seeking a Patent Agent with 3–5 years of experience to join our highly regarded Intellectual Property Department in Minneapolis. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical engineering background with electrical engineering drafting experience and familiarity with wireless device hardware including smartphones, tablets, and wearables. This is an excellent opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies within a collaborative, high-performing team.

## Key Responsibilities

- Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications
- Draft patent applications, including specifications, claims, and drawings descriptions, for inventions relating to consumer electronics hardware and electromechanical systems
- Conduct prior art searches and support patentability, freedom-to-operate, and invalidity analyses, including clearance opinions for product launches
- Respond to USPTO Office Actions and manage prosecution strategy in coordination with partners and clients
- Conduct inventor interviews and distill complex technical subject matter into clear, precise patent disclosure
- Support due diligence efforts related to patent portfolios in transactions and licensing matters
- Assist with post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review and reexamination, as needed
- Manage docket deadlines and maintain accurate file records

Requirements:

- Registration in good standing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
- 3–5 years of patent prosecution experience, preferably at a large law firm or boutique IP firm
- Demonstrated experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both mechanical and electrical engineering subject matter
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage a substantial docket and meet competing deadlines
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing high-quality work product

Preferred Qualifications:

- Substantive familiarity with wireless device hardware
- Experience with patent clearance and freedom-to-operate projects
- Experience managing patent portfolios
- Experience supporting patent opinion letter preparation
- Familiarity with non-infringement and invalidity analyses
- Experience assisting with patent due diligence for corporate transactions and M&A matters
- Advanced degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field is a plus

We will not consider resumes submitted by external agencies or recruiters for this position. Recruiters and agencies will not be compensated for assisting Barnes & Thornburg LLP in recruiting for this position, regardless of whether such party has a recruiting contract with us.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.

## About Barnes & Thornburg LLP

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Barnes & Thornburg LLP is a large, full-service U.S. law firm providing legal services across more than 50 practice areas to clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to entrepreneurial growth companies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (LLP / Partnership)
- **Headquarters**: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Legal Services
- **Target customers**: B2B – Fortune 500 corporations, middle-market companies, entrepreneurial growth companies, and government entities.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “We don’t just grow, we thrive. From day one, you’ll have access to industry-leading support, tools and training, all tailored to meet your needs today — and propel you where you want to go tomorrow.” (from careers page)

## Products & Services
- **[Full-Service Legal Counsel]**: Representation in over 50 practice areas including litigation, labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, health care, real estate, energy, white collar crime, life sciences, and finance/restructuring.
- **[Client-Focused Platform]**: Customizable rate-setting, origination credit policies, and dedicated business development/marketing teams to help partners grow their practices.
- **[Career Development Programs]**: Structured training for lawyers at every level – BTLaw Academy (junior associates), Pathway to Partnership (mid-to-senior lawyers), and Partner Development Series.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (private partnership)
- **Key Metric**: Employs more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals; specifically 772 lawyers (including 481 partners) across 24 U.S. offices.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (law firm partnership). No external investors listed.
- **Growth Signals**: Consistent growth trajectory with a lateral retention rate “high above industry average.” Recent expansion of practices in private equity, funds, Latin America, and securities regulation. 24 offices nationwide.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Transparent Partnership Path**: More partners than associates, with clear benchmarks and a structured process to capital partnership.
- **Collaborative Compensation Culture**: Origination credit that recognizes contributions from day one; team success valued over individual tallies.
- **Small-Firm Feel, National Reach**: Despite having 24 offices, the firm emphasizes cross-office collaboration and a collegial environment where individual ideas matter.
- **High Lateral Retention**: Strong integration support and technology infrastructure for seamless moves.

## Strategic Focus
- **Practice Expansion**: Actively building teams in high-growth areas such as private equity, funds, Latin America, and securities regulation.
- **Talent Development**: Investing in formal mentorship, sponsorship (Project Keymaker), and twice-yearly performance evaluations to grow lawyers internally.
- **Client Service**: Maintaining a clients-first culture that prioritizes service and agility in a changing business landscape.

## Why Work Here
- **Career Growth**: Accelerated path to partnership, alternative career paths for those not seeking partnership, and clear compensation structures at every level.
- **Training & Mentorship**: Robust programs like BTLaw Academy, Pathway to Partnership, and one-on-one coaching for legal writing, communication, and time management.
- **Culture**: Described as a workplace that values individuals, not just credentials. Lawyers have a voice through the Legal Talent Development Committee and Associate Committee.
- **Work Environment**: In-office presence expected (multiple U.S. office locations). Hybrid/remote policy not specified; likely office-centric with some flexibility.
- **Notable Perks**: Dedicated business development and marketing support, customizable rate-setting, and a collaborative compensation model that rewards team success.

## Sources
1. [btlaw.com – Careers Overview](https://btlaw.com/en/careers)
2. [btlaw.com – Lawyers & Legal Professionals Careers](https://btlaw.com/en/careers/lawyers)
3. [U.S. News – Barnes & Thornburg LLP Profile](https://law.usnews.com/law-firms/barnes-&-thornburg-llp-613)
4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com – Barnes & Thornburg Jobs](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/barnes)

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