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Patent analyst vs litigation associate

The differences between patent analysts and litigation associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a patent analyst and a litigation associate. Additionally, a litigation associate has an average salary of $112,116, which is higher than the $77,926 average annual salary of a patent analyst.

The top three skills for a patent analyst include search reports, technical aspects and medical devices. The most important skills for a litigation associate are litigation, law firm, and legal research.

Patent analyst vs litigation associate overview

Patent AnalystLitigation Associate
Yearly salary$77,926$112,116
Hourly rate$37.46$53.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs3289,779
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a patent analyst do?

Being a patent analyst involves comparing products that are already in the market to new inventions and innovations. You will be responsible for ensuring and upholding government assurance of the originality and ownership of an invention. Patent analysis involves the examination of every aspect of an invention, including the blueprints, the pieces, the assembly, the raw material used, and etc. The role requires the evaluation of uses and specifications of an invention, classification, and then a written report based on the analysis.

What does a litigation associate do?

A Litigation Associate offers legal advice for individuals involved in lawsuits and represents them in court. They prepare pleading, collect evidence, defend depositions, and manage the client database.

Patent analyst vs litigation associate salary

Patent analysts and litigation associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Patent AnalystLitigation Associate
Average salary$77,926$112,116
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $129,000Between $68,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyMorrison & FoersterBryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between patent analyst and litigation associate education

There are a few differences between a patent analyst and a litigation associate in terms of educational background:

Patent AnalystLitigation Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Patent analyst vs litigation associate demographics

Here are the differences between patent analysts' and litigation associates' demographics:

Patent AnalystLitigation Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 71.6% Female, 28.4%Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between patent analyst and litigation associate duties and responsibilities

Patent analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and provide responses to incoming subpoenas and discovery requests relating to underwriting files and policy and accounting information.
  • Conduct invalidation search, freedom-to-operate search and landscape studies in USPTO, EPO, WIPO and Chinese patent database SIPO
  • Perform patentability, invalidity, freedom to operate (FTO), and evidence of use searches.
  • Evaluate complex patent portfolios for licensing value and litigation suitability.
  • Review completed applications for compliance with USPTO contract and quality requirements.
  • Manage and provide responses to incoming subpoenas and discovery requests relating to underwriting files and policy and accounting information.
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Litigation associate example responsibilities.

  • Lead and assist in out-of-court resolution of actions including settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration.
  • Manage all aspects of motion practice and discovery in class and institutional actions involving residential mortgage-backed securities investments.
  • Represent immigrants in deportation proceedings, federal litigation and appeals.
  • Participate in complex commercial litigation group, with matters involving insurance, entertainment, products liability, utilities and investment banking.
  • Research various aspects of family law, civil procedure, and tort law.
  • Ensure business compliance with FDCPA, HIPAA, ADA, and various other regulations.
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Patent analyst vs litigation associate skills

Common patent analyst skills
  • Search Reports, 19%
  • Technical Aspects, 11%
  • Medical Devices, 7%
  • USPTO, 7%
  • Mechanical Engineering, 6%
  • Freedom-To-Operate, 6%
Common litigation associate skills
  • Litigation, 28%
  • Law Firm, 11%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Commercial Litigation, 5%
  • Discovery Motions, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 3%