Why did you choose a job in this profession?
I came to the role of patent attorney by an unusual route for a UK attorney. After completing university with degrees in science and law, my first job was as a solicitor in a large Australian law firm. While I found intellectual property law interesting, I was missing cutting edge science. I therefore switched to scientific research and worked as a post-doctoral researcher in Chemistry and Biochemistry departments in Australia and Europe. After several years of research, it was clear to me that I wanted to combine science and law – and that a job as a patent attorney would be a perfect way to achieve this.
What attracted you to your role?
Patents make a real difference to innovative companies. This is one of the key things that attracted me to this role, and from my previous work as an IP solicitor I knew that you needed a good patent (prepared by a patent attorney) to protect an invention – and had seen what could happen to companies that did not protect their IP. Thus as a patent attorney in private practice I help my clients protect their valuable inventions. It is very rewarding to see a product that you have helped protect.
Another thing that attracted me to the role of a patent attorney in private practice is that you get a good variety of work, dealing with different clients and technologies. Also, when you are a patent attorney the job has life-long learning “baked in” – both the patent law and inventions change over time.
What skills are useful in this profession?
Patent attorneys need to understand technical subject matter, assess it against a legal framework and communicate effectively to clients, patent examiners and others. In order to succeed, you therefore need a good understanding of technical subject matter, the legal framework, analytical skills, as well as good written and oral communication. It is also helpful to be tenacious and have an enquiring mind, so you will persevere when faced with a difficult problem.
The training process to become a patent attorney takes several years and involves formal examinations, so many of these skills are honed by learning on the job and during preparation for examinations. Starting training in the profession with an enquiring mind, solid technical background and good communications skills will be very helpful.
As you gain more experience, more skills become relevant. For example senior attorneys may also be involved in training and management, as well as business development.
Final Thoughts
If you have a background in science or engineering, are willing to work hard and like to solve technical problems, I would thoroughly recommend considering a career as a patent attorney.
