Why did you decide to pursue a career in patents?

During my degree I enjoyed studying a broad range of topics throughout my field instead of choosing to specialise in a specific area. When I found out about a career in patents, I was immediately interested in the wide variety of work I would be exposed to especially, as opposed to the narrow focus of academia. Having the ability to keep using my degree in a way I enjoyed, whilst working in law, was very appealing to me.

What attracted you to Dehns?

I was initially impressed by how well regarded Dehns was. Both the firm and individual partners feature well on several industry rankings. I also appreciated the comprehensive approach to training and personal development for a role that is notoriously hard to become qualified in. The size of the firm is particularly helpful, being both small enough to still feel like part of a team while being large enough to be able to provide effective training and support.

What type of clients do you work for?

I work for a wide variety of clients from large multinationals to start-ups, SMEs and university spin outs. My clients are involved in a variety of fields including aerospace and mechanical engineering, elevators, hydraulics, sensors, and even some more niche physics-related innovations.

What opportunities are there at Dehns?

Dehns offers an array of opportunities for professional development. Being involved in case work from the start immediately engages you with the role and practises the core skills used throughout the career. Working with multiple partners allows for a wide experience of the different styles and approaches used in every aspect of the job.

In addition, the firm provides alternative career paths focused on essential areas of the firm outside of pure patent work. This allows for an equivalent progression and career growth for those for whom a typical progression to partner would not be desirable.

Finally, there are also several groups and committees to become involved with. These include the Charities committee for organising and promoting events for the various charities supported by Dehns and the monthly Journal club by trainees, for trainees, that provides insights into both the less common aspects of the job as well as covering difficult exam topics.