Our client is seeking a San Francisco associate with 3–5 years of transactional experience to advise life sciences businesses and their investors on intellectual property, licensing, and commercial matters. The work connects legal analysis with innovation and business strategy across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
The Work
- Advise clients on complex intellectual property licenses and collaborations, helping structure agreements that support life sciences innovation and business objectives.
- Support strategic M&A, including big pharma-biotech acquisitions, NewCo formations, and carve-outs designed to establish new companies.
- Draft and negotiate manufacturing, supply, distribution, and other commercial agreements for clients in the life sciences and healthcare industries.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to address business and legal issues involving data rights, artificial intelligence, digital health, and regulatory compliance.
- Counsel a varied client base that includes global pharmaceutical companies, emerging biotech startups, medical device leaders, and the private equity firms, venture capital funds, and strategic investors that finance and acquire them.
What You Bring
- Three to five years of relevant experience in intellectual property transactions, technology licensing, or a related practice at a multi-office law firm.
- A practice focus on life sciences, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or medical devices.
- Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate complex license agreements and other commercial agreements involving IP, technology, and data assets.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal and scientific concepts to life sciences clients.
- Sound, ethical use of AI technologies, strong client-service skills, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving and project management.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, high-volume environment serving sophisticated clients.
- J.D. from an accredited law school or equivalent, and admission to practice in the relevant jurisdiction or jurisdictions.
- Advanced scientific training in a life science, chemistry, biomedical science, or engineering field and/or USPTO admission is preferred, but not required.
Why Consider It
This practice offers exposure to a broad mix of life sciences companies and their financial and strategic partners, with work spanning complex licensing, commercial agreements, and transactions that can create or reshape businesses.
Associates also collaborate across disciplines on emerging issues such as data rights, AI, and digital health, while engaging with sophisticated clients at the intersection of innovation and business strategy.
Compensation & Benefits
Estimated compensation is $260,000–$365,000 based on the 2026 Cravath base scale; this is an estimate, not firm-stated compensation.
Confidentiality
This is a confidential opportunity. Contact Advocates Legal Recruiting to discuss the role and receive additional details about the client and team. All inquiries will be handled confidentially.