General Overview
Do you combine insatiable curiosity with serious smarts? Do you believe there’s no such thing as a minor detail? Do you want to work with people who encourage and inspire you?
Then you belong here.
We’re constantly on the lookout for bright, motivated individuals looking to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Who believe the law isn’t what’s written in a book, but an instrument of change.
It’s a big challenge. But nothing great ever came from small ones.
At Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP the health and well-being of our employees is of the utmost importance. The Firm provides a generous package to all full-time employees beginning on the 31st day of employment.
Staff, Patent Scientists & Patent Counsel Benefits
Medical Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive and affordable EPO, PPO and HSA medical plans are offered to full-time employees and their qualified dependents through Aetna. Availability of these plans varies by state and all plans are not available in all states.
Dental Insurance Coverage
PPO dental plan provided through Aetna.
Vision Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive vision coverage through Aetna.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Our prescription drug program provides employees with choice, flexibility, affordability and access to an extensive network of retail pharmacies.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A FSA allows an employee to set aside money for qualifying health and childcare expenses not covered or reimbursed by any other source such as medical insurance. All contributions are made and utilized on a pre-tax basis. This means the amount of income the employees’ taxes are based on will be lower, resulting in a tax savings.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Those who are at least 21 years of age are eligible to enroll on the first of the month, following their date of hire. The plan includes generous Firm discretionary contributions.
PTO (Personal Time-Off)
PTO time is to be used for any sick, personal, or vacation days. Time is accrued according to the following schedule:
16 days per year for your 1st year of employment
18 days per year for your 2nd year of employment
20 days per year for your 3rd through 5th year of employment
25 days per year for your 6th through 10th year of employment
30 days per year for your 11th year and all subsequent years of employment
Care Days
A CARE day may be taken as a partial or single day and is intended to provide employees additional time to take care of personal obligations. CARE time accrues at the rate of 5 days per year to a cap of 40 hours.
Holidays
Employees are paid for an average of ten holidays per year.
Four-Day Work Week Option Upon Return From Pregnancy Disability Leave
In addition to time off for pregnancy disability leave, employees returning to full-time positions after an approved leave may apply for authorization to work a four-day work week (at 80% salary) for up to three months following their return.
Additional benefits offered:
Virtual doctors appts. via Teladoc
Basic Term Life Insurance
AD&D Insurance
Critical Illness / Cancer Insurance
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance
Pregnancy Disability Leave Benefit
529 College Savings Plan
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Headspace
Health Advocate Program
Educational Reimbursement Plan
Tuition Reimbursement (classes related to position)
Parking/Transit Allowance
Carpool benefits
Business Casual Dress Attire
Flexible Work Schedules for qualifying employees (staff only)
Knobbe Martens Apartment in DC
On-site workout facility (located in several offices of the Firm)
10 year employee gift
The Firm’s Executive Committee has the exclusive right to revise these benefits at any time and from time to time, with or without notice.
Associate Benefits
Medical Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive and affordable EPO, PPO and HSA medical plans are offered to full-time employees and their qualified dependents through Aetna. Availability of these plans varies by state and all plans are not available in all states.
Dental Insurance Coverage
PPO dental plan provided through Aetna.
Vision Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive vision coverage through Aetna.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Our prescription drug program provides employees with choice, flexibility, affordability and access to an extensive network of retail pharmacies.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A FSA allows an employee to set aside money for qualifying health and childcare expenses not covered or reimbursed by any other source such as medical insurance. All contributions are made and utilized on a pre-tax basis. This means the amount of income the employees' taxes are based on will be lower resulting in a tax savings.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Those who are at least 21 years of age are eligible to enroll in the plan on the first of the month, following their date of hire.
Quota Credit Days
Quota credit is accrued according to the following schedule:
15 days per year for the Associate’s 1st through 5th years of employment
20 days per year for the Associate’s 5th and all subsequent years of employment
Holidays
Associates are paid for an average of ten holidays per year.
Four-Day Work Week Option Upon Return From Pregnancy Disability Leave
In addition to time off for pregnancy disability leave, employees returning to full-time positions after an approved leave may apply for authorization to work at 80% quota (80% salary) for up to three months following their return.
Bar Exam and Bar Review Course Reimbursement
The Firm will reimburse usual costs associated with preparing for and taking the Bar Examination in the state where the associate works. Such expenses include a review course (e.g. BarBri), exam registration fees, moral character fees, fingerprinting fees and MPRE fees. In addition, the Firm will reimburse hotel room and tax expenses for two nights while taking the Bar Exam. PMBR expenses are excluded. All reimbursements apply only for those charges incurred after accepting an offer with the firm.
Continuing Legal Education Reimbursement
The Firm encourages its associates to participate in continuing legal education by attending programs conducted outside of the Firm.
Additional benefits offered:
Virtual doctors apts. via Teladoc
Basic Term Life Insurance
AD&D Insurance
Critical Illness / Cancer Insurance
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance
Paid Pregnancy Disability Leave Benefits
529 College Savings Plan
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Headspace
Health Advocate Program
Parking/Transit Allowance
Carpool benefits
Business Casual Dress Attire
Knobbe Martens Apartment in DC
On-site workout facility (located in several offices of the Firm)
The Firm’s Executive Committee has the exclusive right to revise these benefits at any time and from time to time, with or without notice.
From our founding, Knobbe Martens has been committed to creating and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. It’s a commitment that has yielded real and meaningful results, and today we are recognized as among the most diverse mid-size firms in the nation.
We promote diversity through active outreach and recruitment, as well as through internal programs that ensure the needs and goals of all our diverse employees are recognized and valued. Our Diversity Committee includes a broad spectrum of attorneys reflective of our diverse workforce. Our attorneys have varied cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and combined, speak nearly 20 foreign languages.
As part of our commitment to diversity in the workplace, Knobbe Martens is proud to offer 1L and 2L Diversity Scholarship Programs which are open to qualified law students interested in Intellectual Property Law. For more information, please click here.
The Knobbe Martens Diversity Committee promotes the following firm objectives:
Foster understanding, communication, and respect among all people in the firm, including people of different races, religions, ages, sexes, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, national origins, sexual orientations, gender identities, medical conditions or disabilities, and marital, veteran, or family statuses; attract qualified candidates for attorney positions with such diverse backgrounds; retain and provide equal opportunity for attorneys with such diverse backgrounds; promote the firm’s diversity in connection with business development opportunities; and address other diversity-related issues that may arise.
No Glass Ceiling to Equity Partnership
- Short partnership track - Associates may be considered for partnership as early as six years after joining the firm
- Single-tiered (equity) partnership
Unique Culture and Programs That Promote Diversity
- 1,750 hours-per-year quota
- Quota credit (at least 15 days per year) available to assist in meeting quota
- Significant client contact and responsibility for associates
- Reduced quota program for associates and partners
- Return-to-work transition period for associates and partners after pregnancy disability leave
- 1L and 2L Diversity Scholarship Programs
- Over 20 foreign languages spoken, including Arabic, Croatian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu
Diversity Leadership
- Numerous committees chaired by a diverse attorney
- Equal opportunities for attorneys with diverse backgrounds to have major roles in litigation and at trial
- Firm includes internationally recognized leaders in IP across a vast spectrum of technology areas
Diversity Achievements
Recognized as one of the Top 10 Legal Organizations for DEI in Orange County in 2023 – Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL)
Ranked Among Top 5 Most Diverse Midsize Law Firms and Fourth for Representation of Minorities Among Equity Partners based on Firm Size – 2023 “Diversity Snapshot” by Law360
Ranked Top 20 for Overall Attorney Diversity Nationwide – 2021 “Diversity Scorecard” by The American Lawyer
Ranked #1 “Best Law Firm for Minority Attorneys” based on Firm Size – 2019 “Diversity Snapshot” by Law360
We believe a law firm exists to serve both its clients and its community. That’s why we provide extensive pro bono legal services to deserving individuals and institutions, as well as donating our time and financial resources to a wide range of professional, community and nonprofit organizations.
And we back our commitment in real and meaningful ways, including recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions during review. It’s part of a firm-wide philosophy of growing by giving back. And working to serve the people we’re proud to call friends, and places we’re proud to call home.
Pro Bono Representations
Prepared a visa application for a victim of domestic violence
Immigration asylum applications
Represented an indigent and disabled renter in a lawsuit against his condominium association
Represented Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in drafting an amicus brief in a veterans appeal to the Federal Circuit
Represented a UC Hastings Startup Legal garage program
Drafted a patent application for a school related to a device benefitting those with visual impairments
Submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Community Involvement
American Diabetes Association (Bay Area)
American Heart Association (Orange County Division)
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Human Options
Lawyers Club of San Diego
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Legal Aid Society of Orange County
Orange County Bar Foundation
Choosing To Care
Our Choose to Care program provides employees with the time and resources to participate in various charitable causes and non-profit organizations each month. These are just a few of the groups we’re honored to have helped.
Habitat For Humanity
Red Cross International
Leukemia Society
Make-A-Wish Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Race For The Cure
Toys for Tots
Ronald McDonald House
California Animal Rescue
OC Early Literacy Program
OCBA Food Drive
Working Wardrobes
Project Cuddle