IP Law Expert

Role Overview

Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs on Project Atlas — an initiative to build realistic enterprise environments that frontier AI agents are trained and evaluated in. We're seeking experienced intellectual-property attorneys from AmLaw 100/200 firms and Fortune 500 in-house IP teams to recreate the digital workspaces they navigate every day and design the tasks that genuinely challenge state-of-the-art AI.

Location Requirements

Role Overview Mercor is partnering with leading AI labs on Project Atlas — an initiative to build realistic enterprise environments that frontier AI agents are trained and evaluated in. We're seeking experienced intellectual-property attorneys from AmLaw 100/200 firms and Fortune 500 in-house IP teams to recreate the digital workspaces they navigate every day and design the tasks that genuinely challenge state-of-the-art AI. You'll bring your expertise in patent prosecution, trademark portfolio management, trade-secret protection, and IP litigation or licensing to build a high-fidelity environment that mirrors the tools, files, and client-engagement workflows of sophisticated IP practice — and then author tasks grounded in the matters you actually handle today. Key Responsibilities Build a realistic digital workspace centered on the Drive folders you use day-to-day — the client memos, patent / trademark drafts, prior-art search results, opinion letters, licensing agreements, docket printouts, and email threads that reflect how you actually organize your work — with some representation of the platforms that support it (e.g., Westlaw / LexisNexis, HotDocs, Relativity) Design multi-step tasks grounded in your real workflows — structured around end-to-end client engagements (origination, prosecution/strategy, ongoing counseling, enforcement/litigation) — that require navigating multiple apps, files, and stakeholders in a way that meaningfully challenges frontier AI agents Collaborate with other IP attorneys in your field to design the environment, shape task scope, and review each other's scenarios for realism and rigor Work asynchronously with research teams to refine task designs and evaluation criteria for IP-law agent benchmarks Contribute to frontier AI research and benchmarking — the work you produce directly informs how leading labs train and evaluate the next generation of AI systems Ideal Qualifications JD and active bar admission; USPTO registration for patent practitioners 3+ years of full-time IP experience at an AmLaw 100/200 firm or Fortune 500 in-house IP team Background in one or more areas such as: Patent prosecution (utility, design, PCT) — tech, life sciences, or mechanical Trademark prosecution and portfolio management IP litigation (district court, PTAB, ITC) or post-grant proceedings IP licensing, due diligence, and transactions Trade-secret and IP enforcement strategy Day-to-day use of Westlaw / LexisNexis, HotDocs or Contract Express, and Relativity Strong analytical thinking and writing — able to translate legal workflows into structured task specs Compensation Note This project is expected to begin on an effective hourly rate, but will transition to a model where experts are compensated based on throughput of quality work rather than a flat accruing hourly rate. Mercor is a talent marketplace that connects top experts with leading AI labs and research organizations. Backed by investors including Benchmark, General Catalyst, Adam D'Angelo, and Jack Dorsey. Thousands of professionals across domains contribute to projects shaping the next generation of AI systems. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request. Mercor partners with leading AI labs and enterprises to train frontier models using human expertise. You will work on projects that focus on training and enhancing AI systems. You will be paid competitively, collaborate with leading researchers, and help shape the next generation of AI systems in your area of expertise. Posted 25 days ago

• Build a realistic digital workspace centered on the Drive folders you use day-to-day — the client memos, patent / trademark drafts, prior-art search results, opinion letters, licensing agreements, docket printouts, and email threads that reflect how you actually organize your work — with some representation of the platforms that support it (e.g., Westlaw / LexisNexis, HotDocs, Relativity)
• Design multi-step tasks grounded in your real workflows — structured around end-to-end client engagements (origination, prosecution/strategy, ongoing counseling, enforcement/litigation) — that require navigating multiple apps, files, and stakeholders in a way that meaningfully challenges frontier AI agents
• Collaborate with other IP attorneys in your field to design the environment, shape task scope, and review each other's scenarios for realism and rigor
• Work asynchronously with research teams to refine task designs and evaluation criteria for IP-law agent benchmarks
• Contribute to frontier AI research and benchmarking — the work you produce directly informs how leading labs train and evaluate the next generation of AI systems
• JD and active bar admission; USPTO registration for patent practitioners
• 3+ years of full-time IP experience at an AmLaw 100/200 firm or Fortune 500 in-house IP team
• Background in one or more areas such as:

Patent prosecution (utility, design, PCT) — tech, life sciences, or mechanical

Trademark prosecution and portfolio management

IP litigation (district court, PTAB, ITC) or post-grant proceedings

IP licensing, due diligence, and transactions

Trade-secret and IP enforcement strategy

• Patent prosecution (utility, design, PCT) — tech, life sciences, or mechanical
• Trademark prosecution and portfolio management
• IP litigation (district court, PTAB, ITC) or post-grant proceedings
• IP licensing, due diligence, and transactions
• Trade-secret and IP enforcement strategy
• Day-to-day use of Westlaw / LexisNexis, HotDocs or Contract Express, and Relativity
• Strong analytical thinking and writing — able to translate legal workflows into structured task specs
• You will be engaged as an independent contractor.
• This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.
• Projects can be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on needs and performance.
• Your work at Mercor will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.
• Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
• Please note: We are unable to support H1-B or STEM OPT candidates at this time.

IP Law Expert

$100-$120 / hr

$100-$120