Patent Attorney Expert (Remote, Contract)
Listing checked October 14, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery builds evaluation and training data for frontier AI labs, and it hires practicing professionals rather than annotators. As a contract patent attorney, you craft realistic patent prosecution scenarios that run from prior art analysis through claim drafting and office action responses. You also write reference answers that explain each legal and technical decision, then grade model output for claim quality and legal soundness. You flag drafting that reads plausible but would fail at the USPTO. The work is remote and async, with a minimum of 10 hours per week and no cap.
What You'll Do5
- 1Author realistic patent prosecution scenarios that begin with prior art analysis and continue through claim drafting.
- 2Compose reference answers that document the legal and technical rationale behind each prosecution decision.
- 3Grade model responses on claim quality, legal soundness, and technical accuracy.
- 4Detect drafting that appears credible but would not pass USPTO review.
- 5Match scenario topics to your technical field and prosecution background.
Requirements8
- 1Licensed attorney admitted to a state bar and registered to practice before the USPTO.
- 2At least 2 years of patent prosecution or patent litigation experience.
- 3Depth in claim drafting, office action responses, and prior art analysis.
- 4Clear written English for documenting legal and technical reasoning.
- 5Capacity to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week.
- 6Technical degree in engineering or the sciences.
- 7Experience across multiple technology areas.
- 8Background in PTAB proceedings or patent litigation.
Who Should Apply
The candidate who fits this contract is a licensed attorney with active USPTO registration, at least two years in patent prosecution or litigation, and a track record in claim drafting, office action responses, and prior art analysis. Strong applicants pair that legal depth with a technical degree and experience spanning several technology areas. The role is less suitable for attorneys who lack USPTO registration, have under two years of patent practice, or cannot set aside 10 hours each week. Reviewers reject applicants who list a bar license but omit their Patent Bar status, and they score down answers that stay general about the technical fields they prosecute.
Salary Insight
The listing shows $117.50 per hour at the top and describes a range of $95 to $140 per hour, with payments each week through Stripe. That range matches professional rates for licensed patent attorneys who handle prosecution work, and AfterQuery sets your number from your experience instead of reducing it after you start.
Pay and demand for AI Training roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$70/hour
This role
$118/hr
Most AI Training roles pay $39–$98 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 988 similar roles that publish pay · 300 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
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Compensation
$118/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In the five-minute application, state your USPTO registration number, your state bar admission, and the exact technical fields you prosecute. The form asks for those credentials up front, and reviewers use them to place contractors on live work by specialty. A vague answer such as 'various technologies' lowers your fit score.
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