Life as a Trainee Trade Mark Attorney means using your academic background in a stimulating and varied way. Working with brands that are new to the world and those that are rich with heritage and reputation.

“One of the best things about the job is the variety. I have worked with companies in the pharmaceutical, fashion, cosmetics, software, food and beverage, safety and security, and energy sectors.” Rebecca, Attorney

At Mewburn Ellis, we’re collegial, supportive and progressive. With an industry-leading training programme and a rotation scheme that keeps learning fresh and insightful, we ensure that you’re set up to develop quickly and learn about the profession from a variety of Partners from day one.

“Trained for Excellence” is one of our key values that permeates our firm, the impact of which is evident at every level; indeed over 70% of our partners trained with us. The training program underpins who we are and our forward-looking, ambitious approach. And as it’s delivered in a structured and focused manner, it means that everyone at Mewburn Ellis is able to develop their full potential as a high-level attorney.

Trade Marks at Mewburn Ellis

From iconic consumer brands to small businesses and start-ups plus everything in-between, we help businesses to achieve their brand protection goals by helping them with their trade mark management. We work to build robust trade mark portfolios or make sure existing portfolios are effectively managed, enforced and exploited to the full.

We are the European trade mark attorneys of choice for a wide range of clients, from sole traders to well-known brands such as TikTok, KP Snacks, Audi, SpaceX, Dog’s Trust, and Coventry Building Society, as well as many high-ranking UK and foreign law firms. Our well-established team of experts advise clients across the globe on all aspects of trade mark law and practice at every stage of the brand lifecycle.

The Role

Reflecting the exciting and diverse spaces in which our clients operate, you will work closely with experienced colleagues across many areas of our trade mark practice group and in time, with our solicitors too. We take a holistic approach to IP meaning you’ll work with (and learn from) lots of departments – variety will be a theme throughout your training and beyond.

Our training program is varied – sometimes challenging, but always rewarding. You will be invested in to grow personally and professionally. There should be lots of opportunities to put your academic background to good use and stretch your mind! Our training scheme gives you the opportunity to work with different mentors allowing you to develop as an attorney and find your niche. There will also be opportunities to travel, work from other offices and, when feasible, work abroad with our carefully selected foreign attorney firms.

Right from day one you will be an important part of our trade mark team, sitting with a qualified trade mark attorney and assisting them with all parts of their work, including advising clients on strategy, protection and enforcement of their intellectual property rights. Essentially, we provide you with all the tools you need to become a Trusted Advisor to clients, helping you use your academic background and natural curiosity in a legal IP context.

What’s in it for you?

• 30 days annual leave (not including bank holidays & additional study leave days)
• A friendly, inclusive and team-based working culture
• A hybrid office and home working approach (50/50)
• A generous remuneration package with twice yearly salary reviews for all trainees
• Enhanced pension scheme / family leave
• Opportunity to work in both of our London and Bristol offices
• Wide range of domestic and international clients with the chance to work abroad
• One paid day off per year for charitable endeavours and fundraising matching
• Firmwide discretionary bonus
• Multiple additional benefits such as discount vouchers, workplace ISA, electric car, bike to work and medicash schemes

You’ll be well supported to pass your exams as well as develop your all-round skills as a trade mark attorney through our internal and external tutorials and regular input from experienced partners, backed up by feedback on your progress to inform and assist your development. And we’re merit-based, so your career progression is truly in your own hands.

We’re a leading European intellectual property firm with four UK offices and one in Munich. We’ve grown steadily and now have over 360 colleagues including 50 Trainees. In many ways our successful growth story is down to our training and our long-term commitment to the wellbeing of our people.  As part of this we have a variety of informal sporting and social events as well as running various charity initiatives.

Read about our Forward Community Programme on our website to find out more on how we’re giving back to the community, our commitment to sustainability and how promoting and nurturing diversity and inclusion is a top priority.

About You

We look for individuals with a curious, enquiring mind. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing, are vital. General commercial awareness is valuable but no prior knowledge of trade mark law is required. A strong academic background is essential. You will hold or be aiming for a First or 2:1 degree, or the equivalent preferably in Law, English (Language or Literature) or modern languages. Having an open-minded personable approach to learning will serve you well, along with a meticulous attention to detail, an ability to quickly comprehend complexity and a highly organised way of working. Finally, a “feel” for language in general is a must.

Our role is based in London or Bristol. We’d love to hear from you!

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome a broad diversity of talent to apply. We reserve the right to cease advertising should we receive a high number of applicants.

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