Careers

Law Students

Current law school students participate in our established intern and extern programs throughout the year. Internships are conducted each summer, while the externships are offered to participating law schools during the school year for academic credit. Although the programs are offered at different times of the year, they are substantially similar.

Interns and externs can expect an enriching learning experience that includes:

  • Participating in a new attorney training program, which consists of lectures and workshops covering a variety of topics, including new application drafting, claim drafting strategies, and examination strategies;
  • Attending and participating in our weekly Wednesday lunch meetings in which we discuss all patent-related Federal Circuit cases;
  • Receiving on-the-job training where each intern and extern is assigned a mentor who reviews their work;
  • Preparing comments and responses to Office Actions; and
  • Conducting interviews with Examiners at the USPTO.

Oliff PLC has senior attorneys and members who began as an intern or extern at the firm.

We are currently looking for 2027 Summer Associates. If you are interested, please apply online using the form to the right.

We are currently seeking candidates who will be a 2L Law student in 2027 and are patent bar eligible, with background/experience/degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Software for our Summer Associate Program in Alexandria, VA location. Oliff PLC is an equal opportunity employer. Hours currently available are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is a hybrid role with up to 2 days of remote work per week.

Some of the opportunities provided by the ten-week long Summer Program include:

  • Working under the mentorship of one or more attorneys at the firm;
  • Managing a workload and docket to satisfy various USPTO and client deadlines, including preparing proposed strategies and claim amendments in response to Office Actions, preparing draft responses, and filing responses to Office Actions at the USPTO;
  • Exposure to various IP practice areas, including patent prosecution, trademarks, and copyrights;
  • Conducting legal research and analysis, draft legal memoranda pertaining to patent, trademark or copyright issues;
  • Participation in attorney meetings and firm-hosted events.

Desired Skills:

Knowledge of Patents, Patent Prosecution, Legal Research, Chemistry, Copyright Law, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Knowledge of Electrical Engineering, Mentoring, Filing Skills.

If interested, please submit the following materials:

  • Current resume.
  • Legal writing sample.
  • Transcript.
  • Personal statement (500 words max) that describes your personal background and experience as it relates to this program, and how you have demonstrated a commitment to growing in the legal profession.