How did you get into the profession?

Having really enjoyed the content and breadth of my degrees, I was looking for a profession which kept abreast of cutting edge research/developments in my field but with little emphasis on the hands on research which I had found to be lacking in variation. I also sought a role which prised communication as well as problem solving and analytical skills along with a commercial slant. A bonus in becoming a trainee patent attorney was the opportunity to utilise my native German proficiency, especially with R&G’s office in Munich. All this and more was offered by the patent attorney profession and so it seemed the obvious choice.

What are your main roles and responsibilities?

• Crafting arguments for responses to examiners at various patent offices during the prosecution of patent applications.
• Analysing prior art in relation to patent applications.
• Developing an in-depth understanding of potential Life Science inventions.
• Attending clients calls.
• I am part of a team informing R&G’s clients of the Unitary Patent and Unitary Patent Court coming into force this year so that they can make informed decisions involving their patent portfolio.

What attracted you to Reddie & Grose?

The large variation in the size of clients R&G work with as well as the breadth of technology in the Life Science field was a definite draw, coupled with work in all aspects of the patent profession from FTOs and drafting of patent applications to prosecution, oppositions and appeal work. I knew this would provide brilliant exposure and experience while training and beyond.

The excellent training and support offered was also an important factor. R&G offer a bespoke ‘bootcamp’ training during the first two weeks of training followed by regular training days for the new graduate intake and then tutorials right up until your qualifying exams.

Another attraction was R&G’s highly inclusive and sociable work environment, encouraged by lots of events to interact and integrate with colleagues across department, level and location.

Finally, R&G’s European presence with a fully-fledged base in Munich.

Life at the firm so far…

The transparency with which R&G promotes itself on the website is definitely something to mention and that feeling has remained from first interview until now. I have found the work interesting and varied yet challenging and although the steep learning curve is evident the job is in equal measures rewarding.

The training days have been hugely beneficial, focussing on important client based communication as well as legal understanding whilst exposing us to a large range of scenarios within the lifecycle of a patent, some of which we may not have come across yet in our everyday work.

Social events has been a common occurrence with a noticeable emphasis to involve trainees from day one. There has also been encouragement to engage in business development opportunities from the outset, for example attending Cambridge Young Professionals and CIPA Informal’s events.

Finally, the trainees are given a lot of responsibility from the beginning also the chance to work with a number of different partners and associates from across the firm on various tasks, developing working relationships not just with our line managers.