After my PhD, I embarked on a postdoctoral research project which I thoroughly enjoyed but proved that academia wasn’t for me. I joined Sagittarius IP in 2017 and qualified as both a UK Chartered and European Patent Attorney in 2021. I also gained the Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate in 2022. My practice includes drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications in the biotechnology and life sciences fields, and I coordinate the prosecution of a number of large IP portfolios around the world. In my career to date I have experienced invention spotting, patentability and freedom to operate opinions and opposition work, and have worked at a major pharmaceutical firm on secondment.

I had learned of the patent profession from several talks and friends who had begun training, and I was lucky enough to be invited to several interviews for trainee positions, including at Sagittarius IP through a recruitment agency. After two very friendly interviews with the Partners of the firm and the senior attorneys, I was offered a position in the Cambridge office. What made Sagittarius IP stand out for me was their personable approach. There was no overly-formal “interview day” with many candidates competing and being shepherded together. This personable approach extends from training, right through to HR, pastoral care and the way clients are handled.

Working at Sagittarius IP is challenging but never daunting, no matter your qualification level. The approachability of everyone, from newly qualified and senior attorneys to the Partners, means that there really is no such thing as a daft question. For example, a series of in-house tutorials is arranged for all new trainees to provide a good grounding of the basics and to prepare for attendance at Queen Mary. These tutorials are given by trainees, qualified attorneys, senior attorneys and Partners.

I have always been involved in all aspects of being a patent attorney and am given a lot of responsibility. In my first year, I was taken to Munich for an appeal hearing. As a trainee, I was taken to multiple client meetings to discuss their inventions and patent filings/portfolio. Post-qualification I have significant autonomy and involvement in client relationship management. At the same time, the Partners and senior attorneys are always available and approachable to help if needed. There is a good mix of direct client and ‘agency’ work.

The toughest part of the job is obviously the studying to qualify. There is a lot to cover and the learning curve is steep – law is very different from science! I also initially found it difficult to get back into studying having been outside of that environment for several years. Since qualifying and after the studying had finished, the work-life balance at Sagittarius IP is great with everyone truly caring for your welfare and always being on hand, e.g. to help with capacity if needed.