We’re looking for bright and confident individuals to join the firm’s largest practice group: Electronics, Computing and Physics. We work with a broad range of international clients including telecommunications network and systems providers, integrated circuit design companies, medical equipment manufacturers, computer systems providers and aerospace and avionics manufacturers. Our team also supports the research departments and technology transfer companies of a number of British universities.
The ideal candidates will have an excellent academic background with a strong degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Physics or similar and excellent verbal and written communication skills. But most importantly a genuine passion for technology that goes well beyond the merely academic. Ideally we are looking for candidates from the following disciplines:
London – Electronics or Electrical Engineering
Bristol – Electronics, Electrical Engineering or Physics
Sheffield – Electronics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
Leamington Spa – Electronics, Electrical Engineering or Physics
We give our trainees real responsibility early on, and you should expect to be making a significant contribution to client work within the first year. We have a well-deserved reputation for supporting our employees through the CPA and EPA qualification process along with extensive personal development opportunities, delivering commercially focused attorneys who offer sound strategic business advice to our clients.
Qualification as a Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney involves passing several sets of examinations. Withers & Rogers provides a comprehensive package of support for trainees sitting exams. We will pay for you to attend courses, lectures and tutorials which are organised by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys. In addition to this, we have our own in-house tutorial system which is aimed at preparing trainees for both the UK and European qualifying exams. The main focus of training, however, is exposure to a great variety of work on actual live cases under the supervision of a qualified attorney. Each trainee at Withers & Rogers is assigned to a qualified attorney responsible for their progression to full qualification as a UK and European Patent Attorney. All of our qualified attorneys devote considerable time to developing trainees and this is the best way for you to develop the skills you need to pass the professional exams, and also for you to absorb the culture and working practices that have contributed to the success of our firm.
Whilst we expect a lot from our people, we believe in a healthy work-life balance; realistic business targets mean that you will have time for a life outside of the office.
You will have a minimum of an upper second class degree with excellent English language skills and the ability to grasp new technical concepts. You should also feel confident communicating effectively with clients and staff of all levels.
The Firm
Withers & Rogers is one of the leading intellectual property (IP) law firms in the UK and Europe, specialising in the protection and enforcement of a wide range of IP rights. These include patent protection for inventions, trade mark registration for brands and design rights for products. With our support, enterprising businesses can bring their ideas to market and maximise the commercial value in their IP.
Around 170 staff and more than 60 specialist experts work in our offices in London, Bristol, Leamington Spa, Sheffield and Munich. Their focus is on building strong partnerships with clients – visiting them regularly, getting to know their business, seeking to understand how best to protect the fruits of their developments and how to ensure that IP protection genuinely adds value to their organisation.
It’s an inventive and inspiring environment that is as diverse as it is intellectually challenging. This is a place for ambitious and curious people who are passionate about the new. About making today’s pioneering inventions tomorrow’s life-changing reality.
Benefits
A competitive salary is offered. Additional benefits include a pension scheme, interest free season ticket loan, discretionary Christmas bonus, generous holiday entitlement rising to 28 days per annum with length of service, holiday trading scheme (buying/selling up to 5 days), cycle to work scheme, flexible working week, childcare vouchers, and a healthcare cash plan after 3 months service.