If you’re a new patent engineer, you’re probably used to being one of the smartest people in the room. You went to engineering school, excelled at mastering complex concepts quickly, and have a knack for diving into new technologies and understanding how they work.
When I landed my job as a patent engineer at a big-name Silicon Valley firm 10 years ago, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. And in a lot of ways, I had — it gave me the opportunity to work with tech unicorns, startups, and plenty of clients in between. That first job also gave me the foundation to eventually launch my own patent agency.
But here’s the thing no one tells you before you sign the offer letter: the first year will humble you. Patent law comes with a steep learning curve, and there’s a good chance you’ll feel out of your depth at times.
Looking back, I realize I made that first year way harder than it needed to be. Here are 8 tips I wish someone had given me in my first year as a patent engineer.
Tip 1: Get organized
One of the quickest ways to sink in your first year as a patent engineer is to lose track of your deadlines. The sheer volume of tasks — from drafting claims to responding to comments from your supervising attorney — can overwhelm even the most Type-A personalities.
So, make sure to establish a system for managing your work. This means creating mental workflows and routines that keep you ahead of deadlines. For example, review your docket at the start of each week and prioritize tasks based on deadlines and complexity. If something needs an attorney review, set an internal deadline for yourself to ensure there’s enough buffer time before the official due date.
This also means knowing when to check in with your supervising attorney. Patent law is a team effort, and attorneys are relying on you to keep things moving. If you’re unsure about priorities or how to move forward, don’t wait for them to ask — proactively reach out with specific questions or updates. Even a simple “I’ve drafted claims and need input on X” can save everyone time and keep the process smooth.
Tip 2: If you have billable hours, don’t fall behind
Billable hours are one of the biggest challenges for new patent engineers. I went from the flexibility of being in college to the pressure of meeting 1,650 billable hours in a year — unsurprisingly, I quickly learned how easy it is to fall behind.
The best way to avoid this disaster? Block your time. Set aside dedicated hours for drafting and stick to them. Multitasking might feel productive, but switching between tasks burns time you can’t bill to anything.
If you do find yourself behind, don’t panic, but don’t procrastinate either. Let’s say you’re 40 hours in the hole with six months left to make it up. That’s an extra 20 minutes each workday, which is not pleasant, but manageable.
However, if you ignore the problem and let it snowball? Suddenly, you’re pulling 12-hour days. Do the math early, spread out the work, and make sure to factor in your vacation time — you deserve a break, but your billables don’t care about your PTO.
And here’s another pitfall to avoid: the social pressures of working at a law firm. Associates will invite you to lunch, drinks, or random midday coffee runs. While networking is great, remember that they’ve mastered the art of balancing socializing and hitting their hours. You haven’t. Politely decline when you need to and focus on staying ahead.
Trust me: there’s nothing more awkward than sipping beers while silently panicking about your timesheet.
Tip 3: Try to learn from each attorney you work with
One of the biggest perks of being at a big law firm is the sheer number of attorneys you’ll get to work with. Every attorney has their own unique style when it comes to drafting patents and handling prosecution, and as a patent engineer, you’re in a prime position to observe and learn.
In the beginning, you’ll probably mimic whatever style your supervising attorney prefers. That’s perfectly normal. Think of it like building a toolkit — over time, you’ll be able to pick and choose the techniques and approaches that resonate with you.
Tip 4: Make a plan for taking the patent bar
The patent bar can feel like a looming specter, but tackling it early in your career is almost always a good idea. Many firms offer incentives for passing, like a salary bump or covering the cost of classes and practice exams. If your firm foots the bill for prep courses, take advantage of that — it’s an investment in both your career and your bank account.
I waited until after I left my first job to take the patent bar, and I regret it. Passing earlier would have meant a raise and more professional credibility right out of the gate. So, I highly recommend making a plan, sticking to it, and getting that patent agent title under your belt sooner rather than later.
Tip 5: Try to get involved with client interactions early
Client interactions are a cornerstone of growing as a patent agent or attorney, and the sooner you start gaining experience, the better. Even if you’re just sitting in on calls or attending invention disclosure meetings without saying much, you’ll pick up valuable insights about how to communicate and handle these relationships.
As your confidence (and your supervising attorney’s confidence in you) grows, you can start taking a more active role. Asking thoughtful questions, drafting client emails for your attorney to review, or sharing updates about a patent portfolio at the right moments are great ways to build trust and develop your skills.
Tip 6: Build a strong network within your firm
It’s tempting to keep your head down and just churn through work, but building relationships with attorneys, paralegals, and other engineers can be incredibly valuable. These connections often lead to informal mentorship, opportunities for growth, and even a heads-up about potential pitfalls to avoid.
Tip 7: Pay attention to common rejections
Office actions can feel a bit scary at first, but one of the most reassuring aspects of patent prosecution is that certain types of rejections — like §102 (novelty) and §103 (obviousness) — appear over and over again. These rejections follow well-established legal frameworks, which means patterns will emerge quickly if you pay attention.
To save time, start by familiarizing yourself with the core principles behind these rejections. For example, a §102 rejection typically means the examiner believes your claims are identical to a prior art reference, while a §103 rejection asserts that your invention is an obvious combination of known elements. Knowing the distinction helps you tailor your arguments more effectively.
Equally important is observing how your supervising attorney addresses these rejections. Each attorney has their own style — some prefer concise, focused arguments, while others might lean heavily on technical explanations or cite specific case law. Pay close attention to these approaches, as they often provide a roadmap for responding efficiently in similar scenarios.
Also, don’t hesitate to ask for examples of past responses your attorney has written for similar rejections. These templates can serve as valuable guides and give you insight into how to structure your own arguments. Over time, as you gain experience, you’ll start developing your own efficient workflows for handling these challenges.
Tip 8: Protect your mental health
This job can be stressful — deadlines, billable hours, complex technology, and, of course, the office politics that inevitably surface in any workplace. For patent engineers, there’s also the added pressure of mastering dense legal concepts while staying on top of rapidly evolving technical fields.
To manage the stress, set boundaries where you can. Make it a habit to take breaks — step away from your screen, clear your mind, and do something that recharges you. No one does their best work when they’re running on fumes, and your mental health is just as important as hitting your billable targets.
At the same time, remember to celebrate the small wins. In patent law, those victories might look like completing a particularly challenging draft, crafting a response to a §103 rejection that actually makes sense to the examiner, or getting positive feedback on a claim amendment. Celebrate those victories—they’re proof that you’re making progress, even if the learning curve feels steep.
The First Year Is Tough (But It Doesn’t Have to Be)
As a patent engineer, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of being the “drafting person,” but if you want to grow, the real value lies in mastering strategy.
That’s why, 10 years since that first job, I decided to build Patentext. Patentext is an AI-powered patent tool designed to take the grunt work out of drafting. By ensuring consistent, polished drafts, it frees up your time to focus on the bigger picture: developing a stronger understanding of patent strategy, honing your ability to identify patentable and valuable subject matter, and learning how to solve client problems at a higher level.
Join the beta waitlist today and make your first year (and every year after) a little less stressful.
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