The Firm

AA Thornton IP has been at the cutting edge of IP protection for over 100 years and is established as one of the UK’s leading IP law firms. Our award-winning attorneys and solicitors work with many of the world’s leading innovators in emerging and exponential technologies including AI, clean tech, quantum and space, and manage the IP portfolios of well-known international brands in industries ranging from luxury goods and entertainment to food, drink and pharmaceuticals.

At AA Thornton, you will have the opportunity to learn from a highly reputable, diverse and sociable team who have worked on ground-breaking cases in the UK and Europe and have been consistently awarded in professional legal and IP directories such as IP Stars, Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000 and the World Trade Mark Review 1000.

What we are looking for

As a specialist firm, we pride ourselves on our close-knit collaborative environment and our people who live our values and ‘EAT IP’, meaning they always aim for Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, Innovation and Passion.

If you wish to join our team and embark on one of our trainee schemes, you will need to demonstrate good analytical and communication skills with a high level of accuracy, excellent attention to detail and a passion to develop your knowledge across IP and your chosen practice area.

To apply for our patent trainee scheme, you will need to have studied a science based or engineering degree and have a record of strong academic achievement. If you wish to apply for one of our trade mark trainee attorney positions, we also welcome individuals who have studied law or a language-based degree.

Professional development at AA Thornton

Our partners take a personal approach to supporting and mentoring you, and will help you to shape your IP career. You will be exposed to a broad range of technical areas and have the potential to work on a large portfolio of exciting clients in different industry sectors to deepen your commercial knowledge.

You will be individually supervised by an experienced partner or senior associate, who will oversee your training and give you the support to qualify as a both a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney, or a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney. Throughout your training and on qualification, you will be given excellent in-house guidance and encouraged to attend external courses and industry events with peers, so that you can continually develop your skills and expertise.

Diversity & Inclusion

As a firm we are committed to improving the wellbeing of our team, the profession as a whole and that of our clients. We are passionate about the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination and value the differences that a diverse workforce brings. Many of our partners and our more junior team are actively involved in helping us shape a better community and are proud to be a part of several initiatives from IP Inclusive, including IP Ability, IP Out and Women in IP.