U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Justice / Patent Attorney

Job-title file

Patent Attorney

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

19 employees hold this title in Department of Justice. Median total compensation for the role is $191,289, above the department median of $153,354.

Employees: 19
Total payroll: $3.4M
Role median: $191,289
Agency median: $153,354
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$99,200$216,746+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 19 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Patent Attorney pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. Department of Justice pays a median base salary of $191,289 for this role, 20% above that figure — about the 63rd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Justice sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

Department of Justice median · $191,289

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Justice’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Justice is $191,289, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Patent Attorney is held in 7 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Justice, the median of $191,289 ranks #3 of 7.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Commerce

$204,000 · 307

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$191,900 · 20

Department of Agriculture

$184,216 · 3

Environmental Protection Agency

$181,216 · 1

Department of Interior

$180,359 · 1

Department of Energy

$176,502 · 29

Median total compensation for the Patent Attorney role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Walter Brown

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$220,584

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $220,584
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $220,584
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $220,584
Basic Pay (before locality): $220,584
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): SL

Walter Brown holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $220,584. Their pay grade is 00.

Brian Gross

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$209,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $209,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $209,924
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $209,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $209,924
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): SL

Brian Gross is a Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $209,924. They are classified at grade 00.

Conrad Dewitte

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Conrad Dewitte works as a Patent Attorney for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Conrad earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Shahar Harel

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shahar Harel holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Jenna Munnelly

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jenna Munnelly holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Lucy Noyola

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lucy Noyola holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Michel Souaya

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michel Souaya holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Philip Sternhell

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Philip Sternhell holds the role of Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,900. Their pay grade is 15.

Grant Johnson

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Grant Johnson works as a Patent Attorney for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Grant earned $191,289 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

James Hughes

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

James Hughes is a Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

Carrie Rosato

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Carrie Rosato serves as a Patent Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $191,289. They are classified at grade 15.

Matthew Tanner

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Matthew Tanner serves as a Patent Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $185,824. They are classified at grade 15.

Jhaniel James

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$185,824

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $185,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,824
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $185,824
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,445
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jhaniel James works as a Patent Attorney for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jhaniel earned $185,824 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Michael Bruns

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$174,894

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $174,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,894
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $131,243
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Bruns works as a Patent Attorney for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Michael earned $174,894 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Rachel Hicks

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$163,964

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $163,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $163,964
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $163,964
Basic Pay (before locality): $123,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rachel Hicks is a Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $163,964. They are classified at grade 15.

David Pace

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Pace is a Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Hayley Dunn

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$139,395

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $139,395
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,395
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $139,395
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Hayley Dunn serves as a Patent Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $139,395. They are classified at grade 14.

Andrew Curran

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$121,894

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $121,894
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,894
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $121,894
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andrew Curran is a Patent Attorney at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $121,894. They are classified at grade 13.

Kavyasri Nagumotu

Patent Attorney/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1222
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Kavyasri Nagumotu serves as a Patent Attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.