I graduated from university in 2015 with a Masters degree in Physics with Medical Physics from the University of Sheffield. I immediately joined the patent profession as a trainee at another firm, and moved to Adamson Jones in 2017, before qualifying as a chartered UK patent attorney in 2019.
Why did you choose a job in this sector/profession?
The majority of STEM students seemed to leave university and go into research or lab-based jobs. I wanted something different, something more sociable. I wanted a job that enabled me to interact with the outside world, and being a patent attorney offered that in the form of working with multiple businesses and clients.
What are your main duties/roles?
My main workload revolves around drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications in the UK and Europe, but also overseas, in countries such as the US, Canada, China, India, Japan and Australia.
Additional duties include identifying potential freedom-to-operate risks for clients, and helping them to mitigate or navigate those risks, where possible, for example by drafting and filing oppositions or observations against competitors’ patents or patent applications.
Is it a 9-5 job?
Yes and no. A typical day is 9-5, but the job is deadline-driven, so there can be the odd longer shift where necessary. There’s also the need to revise for qualifying exams over the first few years in the job, which naturally takes up a lot of time outside of the standard 9-5 job.
What skills are useful in this sector/profession?
Perhaps the most important skill is to be articulate, both verbally and in writing. Patent specifications need to be clear and well-defined, and bridging the gap between the complexity of patents and the business requirements of clients requires uncomplicated and concise communication.
We work daily with multiple clients, across multiple countries and time zones, and will have many deadlines outstanding at any one time. Time management and good organisation are therefore also key to stay on top of it all.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to enter the profession?
Ask questions, don’t be afraid of getting knocked back, and wait for the right firm for you! There are so many firms in the UK, one rejection doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not cut out for the job, and one job offer doesn’t necessarily mean the firm is a good fit for you.
