We’re not your average IP law firm.
At Sterne Kessler, we care about the people around us as much as we care about our craft, and believe that no matter where you are in your career, there is always room to learn, grow, and inspire. When you join Sterne Kessler, you have the opportunity to be your authentic self in an atmosphere rooted in respect, collegiality, and collaboration. Our people are the key to our success and our ability to deliver excellent service and results to our clients. Whether you are just starting out or have decades of experience, see why so many team members have found a long-term home here.
- 240+
- Staff Focused on IP Law
- 190+
- IP Lawyers, Agents & Scientists
- “Top Workplace”
- The Washington Post 11 Years Running!
- “Band 1”
- Exclusive DC firm ranked for patent prosecution by Chambers USA
Client Portfolio
Sterne Kessler works with some of the most innovative companies in the world across a wide range of industries. Our clients are making discoveries, building brands, and creating inventions that impact our daily lives. If working with companies like 23andMe, AstraZeneca, BioNTech, Thule, SAP, and Volkswagen—to name a few—sounds interesting, you’ve come to the right place.
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Benefits & Wellness
Sterne Kessler offers an industry-leading benefits package to all of our employees, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), HSA plus firm contribution, 401(k) retirement savings plan, parental leave, child/dependent care, and an onsite wellness center in our D.C. office.
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Training and Professional Development
At Sterne Kessler, you never stop learning. We have training programs for all employees, and our course roster is constantly evolving. The firm’s professional development and training team ensures that our professionals have a robust menu of training content to support them as they grow in their careers. From small group discussion sessions to roundtables and weekly classes, we offer a variety of formal and informal training programs. We also encourage active participation in bar associations and other professional organizations.
Diversity
Sterne Kessler is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the firm. We know the importance of a workplace where all voices and ideas are heard and everyone can express themselves fully. We’re home to nearly 500 professional attorneys and staff who are not only dedicated to their work and our clients, but also to maintaining a welcoming and engaging work environment for all. We encourage everyone at the firm to identify, develop, and leverage their unique strengths, and as a result, we are consistently ranked in Law360 as a top 10 firm for overall diversity in the “101 to 250 attorneys” category.
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Culture
We are proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world, and we recognize that it is the talent and enthusiasm of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. We are a different kind of law firm—one dedicated to the well-being of our entire team. We have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive at its core, and allows you to thrive in your own way. We offer intellectually stimulating work with just the right touch of fun.
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Pro Bono
Sterne Kessler’s pro bono practice aims to help empower disenfranchised and impoverished communities to promote and protect their intellectual property assets.
Learn About Our Pro Bono WorkApplicants who need assistance submitting an application for employment to Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC, may contact us at 1.202.371.2600, or through our TTY line at 1.202.772.8948, or at recruiting@sternekessler.com (legal positions) or employment@sternekessler.com (administrative positions). It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities with advance notice of need. Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer.