Intellectual Property Litigation Associate

Location: Charlotte, NC
Work setup: On-site (5 days in office with occasional flexibility)
Experience: 1–8 years
Salary: $225,000 – $390,000 base + bonus

About the Role

Want to work on high-stakes IP disputes where your work directly impacts litigation strategy?

A leading national law firm is expanding its Intellectual Property Litigation team in Charlotte and is seeking an associate with 1–8 years of experience in patent or trademark litigation. This role offers hands-on involvement across all stages of federal IP disputes—from motion practice and discovery to deposition and trial preparation.

You will collaborate closely with experienced partners and sophisticated clients while developing expertise in complex IP matters. The team also works alongside broader IP professionals when litigation intersects with technology, licensing, and commercialization, offering a dynamic and growth-focused environment.

What You'll Do

• Support patent and trademark litigation matters in federal courts

• Draft motions, briefs, and other litigation filings

• Assist with claim construction research and briefing

• Manage written discovery and document review processes

• Prepare materials for depositions, hearings, and trial preparation

• Conduct legal research and case analysis

• Coordinate case tasks and track important litigation deadlines

• Work closely with partners to develop litigation strategies

• Take ownership of specific workstreams within active cases

Who You Are

• 1–8 years of post-JD experience handling intellectual property litigation matters

• Proven experience working in a law firm environment on patent and/or trademark litigation

• Strong legal research and writing skills, with experience drafting litigation motions, briefs, or other written advocacy

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school with strong academic credentials

• Eligibility for North Carolina Bar admission or the ability to obtain admission quickly

• Hands-on involvement in federal court litigation processes

• Experience supporting discovery management, including written discovery, document review, and deposition preparation

• Exposure to claim construction work or technical patent analysis

• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced litigation environment

• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills when working with teams and clients

• High level of professional judgment when interacting with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel

• Experience taking or defending depositions

• Familiarity with PTAB/IPR proceedings or TTAB matters

• Patent bar eligibility or registration

• Technical background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or software-related fields

What This Role Offers

Top-tier compensation
Base salary ranges from $225K to $390K, depending on class year, with lockstep bonuses ranging from $15K to $115K+ for associates meeting the 2,000-hour billable requirement.

Complex, high-profile litigation work
Work on sophisticated patent and trademark disputes involving innovative technologies and major clients.

Early responsibility and skill development
Associates take ownership of meaningful workstreams and develop litigation skills quickly.

Strong mentorship culture
Work closely with experienced litigators who prioritize professional development.

Long-term career growth
Clear advancement opportunities within a respected national IP litigation practice.

Sperton Global

This recruitment process is managed by Sperton Global, a Norwegian-owned global recruitment firm, on behalf of our client.