Patent Attorney

About Mistral

At Mistral AI, we believe in the power of AI to simplify tasks, save time, and enhance learning and creativity. Our technology is designed to integrate seamlessly into daily working life.

We democratize AI through high-performance, optimized, open-source and cutting-edge models, products and solutions. Our comprehensive AI platform is designed to meet enterprise needs, whether on-premises or in cloud environments. Our offerings include le Chat, the AI assistant for life and work.

We are a dynamic, collaborative team passionate about AI and its potential to transform society. Our diverse workforce thrives in competitive environments and is committed to driving innovation. Our teams are distributed between France, USA, UK, Germany and Singapore. We are creative, low-ego and team-spirited.

Join us to be part of a pioneering company shaping the future of AI. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. See more about our culture on https://mistral.ai/careers.

Role Summary

We are looking for an experienced Patent Attorney to support Mistral AI’s patent strategy by being the product, engineering and science teams' closest partner and advisor, help them identify potential inventions in their day-to-day work, drafting invention memoranda and coordinating the patenting process.

The legal team currently comprises 10 persons across Paris and Palo Alto, covering a spectrum of competences across compliance-regulatory, IP, contracts and corporate.

Key responsibilities

• Invention Harvesting:
• Proactively engage with researchers, engineers, and product managers to identify and prioritize patentable inventions.
• Advise on what to retain as a trade secret and what to file as a patent application.
• Draft invention memos based on interviews, internal product documentation, and scientific papers. Translate complex technical ideas into clear, defensible disclosures.
• Patent Drafting and Prosecution:
• Prepare independent claims and manage outside counsel in the drafting and global prosecution of patent applications.
• Supervise office action responses and ensure consistent, high-quality filings.
• Inventor Recognition Program:
• Administer and evolve internal inventor incentives, including bonuses, awards, and visibility initiatives.
• M&A Due Diligence:
• Support IP due diligence in M&A and strategic investment transactions, including assessment of the IP portfolio, freedom-to-operate risks, and competitive positioning of targets.
• Processes and Tools:
• Develop and maintain internal documentation, workflows, and inventor education on the patent process. Build dashboards to track filings, deadlines, and portfolio metrics.
• Recommend and manage internal IP tools, databases, and docketing systems. Oversee analytics and reporting dashboards for the IP portfolio.
• Portfolio Strategy and Budget Management:
• Contribute to the development of a global IP strategy aligned with corporate goals.
• Track and manage IP budget and outside counsel performance.
• Open Source and Defensive Alliances:
• Align patent strategy with Mistral’s open source objectives.
• Evaluate and recommend participation in patent pools, defensive patent networks, or other industry alliances that support open innovation while protecting core assets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Partner with other legal team members, product, engineering, and research teams to embed IP thinking in the development lifecycle and broader company strategy.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Qualified to practice before the USPTO or European Patent Office (or both!).
• 7+ years of patent prosecution experience, with at least 2 years in-house preferred.
• Strong technical background (engineering, CS, ML/AI); capable of engaging deeply with LLM architectures, training methods, and software infrastructure.
• Proven track record of managing global patent portfolios and aligning IP filings with R&D and product priorities.
• Experience supporting IP due diligence in M&A or investment transactions.
• Familiarity with open source licensing models and how they intersect with patent strategy.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in English), with the ability to translate between legal and technical stakeholders. Business oriented
• International mindset: An international experience is a plus
• Adaptability: Given the rapidly evolving nature of AI technologies and the legal landscape surrounding them, candidates should be adaptable and willing to continuously learn and update their skills and knowledge. Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Proactive, flexible, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• 💰 Competitive cash salary and equity
• 🥕 Food : Daily lunch vouchers
• 🥎 Sport : Monthly contribution to a Gympass subscription
• 🚴 Transportation : Monthly contribution to a mobility pass
• 🧑‍⚕️ Health : Full health insurance for you and your family
• 🍼 Parental : Generous parental leave policy
• 🌎 Visa sponsorship