Schlich is an IAM 1000 recommended firm of European and UK patent and trade mark attorneys, with an experienced support team including paralegals, secretaries and accounts staff.

We are particularly experienced in handling biotech, chemical, pharmaceutical and mechanical technologies; however, we see a wide variety of inventions, which gives us the chance to explore new fields to those within which our attorneys have studied in their academic careers.

Our attorneys have experience in obtaining and enforcing IP rights not only in the UK; we protect and enforce IP rights globally.

Our clients range from close-to-home UK individuals and SMEs to multinational pharmaceutical / biotech companies and international law firms. Our range of local, national and international clients can result in exciting travel opportunities for those who are interested.

Our workload is not limited to patents; we regularly advise on the registrability of trade marks and designs and help clients identify the existence of unregistered rights.

Contentious matters represent a speciality of ours; we have particular expertise before the Opposition Divisions and Appeal Boards of the European Patent Office. Namely, we have enjoyed considerable success in a series of high-profile oppositions relating to CRISPR patents.

We provide full training, ranging from in-house tutorials to external training via recognised professional bodies. Training extends across the whole firm and applies to all, and every voice is regarded as important; the attorneys participate in monthly meetings to discuss case law, and support meetings are held to discuss new rules and best practice.

Our weekly team meetings and day-to-day teamwork make us a cohesive unit, and sharing of knowledge and experience means we support our clients as a team.

We are an equal opportunities employer and a signatory of IP Inclusive’s EDI Charter. We welcome recruits from all backgrounds without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.

The firm

Slingsby Partners is committed to providing the highest standards of patent advice. The firm’s clients are predominantly UK and European technology companies in the fields of engineering, electronics, the physical sciences and chemistry. Client service is the first priority for the business, and we are proud that the great majority of our instructions come through recommendations from existing clients. We are recommended by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000 and the Financial Times and members of the firm are listed as IP Stars.

Slingsby Partners has a strong and growing client base of technology companies from across Europe. Our clients range from start-ups to large multinationals. The core of the firm’s practice is patent drafting and prosecution. We also have a depth of experience across every area of patent procurement and exploitation, from licensing to patent due diligence and acquisition. We have a growing practice in UK and multijurisdictional litigation.

Slingsby Partners needs to recruit and train the best people to continue building the business. We offer challenging and motivating work and are committed to developing skills at all levels.

Graduate recruitment

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with exceptional communication skills to join our close-knit team. You will need a strong academic background and a collaborative and enthusiastic approach to work. All our partners and associates are involved in training and from day one you will be working on a wide range of IP matters directly with our clients. We take an active interest in our trainees’ progress towards qualification as European and UK Chartered Patent Attorneys. The breadth of the firm’s work means your day-to-day training will be directly relevant to the professional exams you will need to undertake. We also provide an in-house lecture series tailored at different levels of attorney training and exam-specific tutorials. Our trainees are encouraged to attend external lectures and courses.

About us

The IPO is the United Kingdom’s principal government authority on intellectual property (IP) with responsibility for patents, trademarks, designs and copyright. We are an Executive Agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). As part of DSIT we are responsible for the role of IP rights in supporting and promoting innovation, helping to protect, define and reward creativity.

Creativity and innovation fuel investment and growth in the UK economy. The role of intellectual property remains crucial to increasing this investment and economic growth. Join our very special organisation and immerse yourself in a career with IP.

Explore the Frontier of Innovation as a Patent Examiner

As a Patent Examiner, you’ll be at the forefront of technological advancement, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation in the world around us.

Patent Examiners help companies to innovate and grow by granting high quality, valid patents. They scrutinise both the technical and legal aspects of a patent application, comparing the new invention against those found in patent databases, before considering whether or not to grant a patent.

Patent examining offers an unusual opportunity to combine your scientific and technical knowledge with legal skills. We are seeking people with highly developed analytical and critical skills, as well as the communication skills necessary to express complex technical and legal arguments along with strong oral communication skills to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers. The office deals with a wide range of subject matter from pharmaceuticals and biotech through to telecommunications and artificial intelligence.

Professional developments

• No exams are required, instead examiners will undergo comprehensive training and mentoring, equipping them with the legal skills necessary to excel in the role.
• Trainees are then assigned to a Senior Examiner who supervises further development and on-going training.
• A technical training programme also provides continual opportunities for development within different areas of technology.

Associate Patent Examiner entry requirements:

• Applicants must hold a 2:2 degree in a relevant science, engineering, computer science or mathematics subject or be on track to receive one by the end of the academic year.
• Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate technical proficiency with 5+ years of equivalent industrial experience in engineering roles.

Unlock your potential with us and discover the career path for you.

Whether you’re interested in our Trade Marks & Designs Examiner roles, or you want to work within our Challenge IP & Legal area, we have a variety of opportunities at varying levels.

Check out our many career paths and experience a workplace where your growth and creativity are valued.

Your IPO journey starts with your application to Civil Service Jobs.

JDD Consultants is an established name in IP training: we have organised ip training courses since 1983. Each year we hold residential and online revision courses to prepare candidates for: The Foundation Certificate & Final Diploma PEB examinations for trainee patent attorneys; & The European Qualifying Examinations (EQE) for Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office.

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.

Committed to doing business the right way, with integrity, expertise and intelligence, GJE is recognised by Best Companies as one of the UK’s top 20 law firms to work for. The firm is proud to have been consistently ranked at No. 1 by the Financial Times in its 2024 survey of Europe’s leading patent law firms. The firm was awarded the highest “Gold” ranking in each of the six areas of industrial expertise surveyed.

Our success is down to the people we employ, who, above all, are engaged in our business and committed to our success. With roughly 130 of us, we’re small and friendly enough for you to get to know everyone – and big enough to offer you a broad range of interesting work and great career prospects.

Why work for us?

Because you will have an interesting and exciting career, right from the start. Our culture is friendly, inclusive, supportive and collaborative: within this environment you will receive excellent training and support and take on real responsibility. Our structured training programme will provide you with a year of on-the-job training before enrolling you for the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law. Ultimately you will aim to qualify as both a European Patent Attorney and a Chartered (UK) Patent Attorney. We assist you in these studies through in-house training, mentoring and coaching from senior attorneys, while exposing you to a diverse range of cases and clients to help you become a well rounded patent attorney. We challenge our attorneys from an early stage and encourage them to carve out a career that will play to their individual strengths. Alongside a range of great benefits and perks, we have an active diversity and inclusion group, an established wellbeing programme and mental health first aiders. We also offer a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, as well as upon exam success.

What we are looking for

Top academic results, including a first-class or 2:1 degree in a relevant subject, are a must, but we are not just looking for academic success. The ability to think creatively, ask questions, and develop and articulate solutions are just as important. We want graduates who demonstrate a passion for science and can contribute to the continued development of our business.

Why do we want you?

Williams Powell are a growing firm with sufficient work to become larger still in partnership with the right people. We are committed to promotion from within, and seek trainees with the potential to become the qualified attorneys and partners of the future. Technical background is less important than flair; if you have the ability to grasp complex scientific concepts and to express them succinctly on paper and orally then we want you to help us build our firm.

Why should you come to Williams Powell?

We suspect that you will be more interested in the future of our firm than its history. We offer an environment where you will be supported, taken seriously, and seen as an investment rather than an impediment. We are a young partnership which believes that it is possible to be both socially relaxed and professionally serious. Williams Powell are flexible in our approach, rigorous in our application, and more interested in outcome than peripherals.

What next?

Although we presently have a full complement of trainee attorneys, we are open to speculative applications for exceptional candidates looking to move after qualification. It would be advantageous to be able to demonstrate some knowledge or experience of the commercial realities of the business world: patents are commercial tools and should not be divorced from commercial context.

Swindell & Pearson provides a high-quality, client-focused service to companies, academic institutions, government agencies and individuals. Formed 140 years ago, we are one of the UK’s leading specialists in patents and trade marks. Some of the world’s foremost multi-national companies trust our attorneys with their patent and trade mark portfolios.

Client relationships are very, very important to us and we really care about delivering outcomes our clients want. We are patient, approachable, friendly, responsive and dependable.

We at Swindell & Pearson know that our reputation is only as good as the individuals we employ. We therefore recruit people with potential and help them fulfil that potential. We pay our trainees well and invest very heavily in their training.

You will work under the direct supervision of experienced attorneys and receive one-on-one constructive feedback on your work. Training includes internal courses, regular seminars and external courses. You will work on cutting edge technology and, unusually, be given early responsibility and your own caseload. A large proportion of your work will be for direct clients where you work directly for the owner of the patent. You will benefit from contact with clients and will be encouraged to become more independent as you develop. You will initially share office space with other trainees, in a friendly and supportive environment and will quickly become a respected and valued member of the team.

Trainees are based in our head office in Derby’s professional quarter. Derby has the UK’s highest export value per capita and is one of England’s fastest-growing cities. It is also an affordable place to live, not far from the Peak District, and just a two-hour train ride from London.

We work on a meritocracy basis where hard work and success are rewarded. The majority of our IP directors trained with the firm, providing proof that we firmly believe that our trainees are our future.

We would welcome speculative applications at any time.

The firm

Founded in 1892, Hoffmann Eitle is one of the oldest and largest intellectual property law firms in Europe. The firm has full-service offices in London, Munich, Düsseldorf, Milan, Madrid, Hamburg, Barcelona and Amsterdam. Our high standing amongst the leading IP firms in Europe is built upon providing clients with top quality IP legal services.

Hoffmann Eitle’s clients are mainly large multinational companies, the majority of which are based in America, Japan, Europe and South Korea. Both our London and Munich offices have English as their principal working language.

The size of Hoffmann Eitle as a firm ensures that we can provide counsel to clients in all areas of technology. We have an unrivalled reputation for advocacy in inter partes hearings at the European Patent Office.

Job prospects

In the last decade, the firm has expanded rapidly. We now have 119 qualified attorneys with a further 33 technical assistants at various stages of training. We have much to offer the right candidate: we provide first class training, carried out under the close supervision of highly skilled attorneys; our trainees have a choice of studying for the Certificate in IP Law at Queen Mary University of London, or taking the Institute foundation examinations; and our London trainees spend six months in our Munich office, allowing them to attend hearings at the EPO.

Hoffmann Eitle provides highly competitive remuneration packages to trainees. The steady growth of the partnership reflects our desire to retain the many excellent graduates that we have recruited and trained.

A trusted provider in IP training. Our established intellectual property courses are industry-approved and taught by our academics with significant industry expertise. We have a number of internationally recognised experts in a wide range of legal areas, as well as an Intellectual Property Research Group, which has collaborated with ITMA, CIPA, IPREG and the European Patent Office.

The firm

Hindles is a growing firm based in the centre of Edinburgh. We also have an office in Liverpool. We provide a full range of patent and trade mark attorney services to clients ranging from start-ups and SMEs to international corporations in Europe, the USA and Japan.

We pride ourselves on providing high quality, commercially focused advice. Most of our new work comes to us by way of recommendations and so we are strongly committed to providing our trainees with the training required to ensure that they become excellent practitioners. Training is predominantly in-house but our trainees are also encouraged to attend appropriate external courses.

We offer a pleasant, friendly working environment and an interesting case load dealing predominantly with direct clients. As a result of our ongoing growth, long-term career prospects are exceptional.

Recruitment at Hindles

We are looking for personable candidates with strong analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to pick up complex technical ideas quickly. Applicants should have a good honours degree in a major scientific or engineering discipline. Vacancies are advertised from time to time but speculative applications are also welcomed.

Queen Mary has a long history of excellence in research and scholarship in intellectual property, spanning 35 years through the creation of the dedicated research institute – Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI). The MSc programme is aimed at those wishing to gain an understanding of the growing importance of intellectual property in the modern economy.

Bournemouth University (BU) has a strong international reputation in the intellectual property arena, specifically its Centre for Intellectual Property Policy & Management (CIPPM), which has a respected standing, both nationally and internationally, in research and legal education in different areas of IP law….

Background

Opening our doors in 1864, we are one of the longest established firms of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys in the country. The firm was founded in Manchester, where our head office is located, and we also have offices in Birmingham, Chesterfield, Liverpool, London and Glasgow.

Clients and services

We serve a wide range of local, national and international clients, from individuals to multinational corporations across all sectors, and enjoy a high proportion of direct client work. We advise clients in relation to all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. Although we deal primarily with obtaining intellectual property rights for our clients, we also advise on enforcement, licensing and related matters. We pride ourselves on our commercial approach combined with a user-friendly style, and we are consistently recognised by the major legal directories.

Graduate applications

For trainee patent attorneys we seek candidates with a broad based technical background. Most attorneys in the firm deal with a broad range of subject matter. For trade mark trainees we seek candidates with a background in law, science, engineering or humanities. For all trainees, good communication skills are essential, especially an excellent command of English.

Professional development

The firm has a commitment to training through a close working relationship between trainee and a designated partner, as well as structured in-house training supplemented by external courses and tutorials. Trainees are involved with casework from the beginning, and our high proportion of direct client work means that trainees can expect client contact from an early stage. Trainees can also expect a varied and interesting caseload. We encourage trainees to take on responsibility as soon as they are able. Once qualified, attorneys enjoy a high degree of autonomy.

We operate flexible working arrangements including remote working (although trainees are expected to attend to the offices for a majority of their time to facilitate training).

About us

Venner Shipley is a leading European IP firm with a team of patent, design and trade mark attorneys providing a complete IP service. We are based in London, Cambridge, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells, Manchester and Munich. Our clients range from leading corporations to SMEs, universities and individual inventors. We are friendly and easy to work with; our clients value our straight-forward approach, practical advice, and the clarity we bring to situations.

What we do

Our multi-disciplinary team deals with a diverse range of intellectual property issues. Our specialist teams in electronics, software, AI, chemistry, biotechnology, materials and engineering work across multiple jurisdictions. Specialists in different technical areas work together to give our clients the creative and innovative solutions they need.

Life as a trainee

As a new trainee you will be exposed to a broad range of work from the start. This is likely to include meeting inventors for innovation harvesting, drafting and filing patent applications and responding to examination reports issued from patent offices. You will have a nominated supervisor as well as a buddy and be part of a large cohort of trainees across all disciplines within our different office locations who come together for training and social events. There is lots of support to help you as you go through the qualification process and beyond; we have internal training programmes at different stages of your career as well as external courses and exam preparation tutorials.

What we look for in candidates

You will need a STEM degree at 2.1 or above. We also accept applications from students with masters or doctorates or with experience working in industry. You need to enjoy applying your scientific knowledge to practical situations, be good at problem solving, with excellent written skills and an interest in law.

Maucher Jenkins is a recognised leading international firm of Chartered (UK) and European Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Attorneys-at-Law and IP Litigators. We act for many advanced companies globally; companies which set the pace in science, technology and innovative product design. Our diverse client base includes individual inventors and entrepreneurs, early stage/start-ups, SMEs and multinational corporations. Some of our larger clients are headquartered in the United States, China and Japan. We offer the highest quality of service based on a thorough understanding of the technical and commercial context and forward-thinking project management of cases.

We have established offices in London, Farnham, Munich and Freiburg. We also have satellite offices in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Kulmbach and Basel, together with representative offices in Beijing and Shenzhen. We have 17 partners and 150 staff (attorneys and business support) across the firm, driving our enthusiastic and motivated workforce.

Why choose us?

Trainee Patent Attorneys at Maucher Jenkins can expect to be given early responsibility and gain experience in a range of fascinating issues. You will have a level of autonomy to complete work, alongside continued guidance from our experienced professionals and Partners. The role will be genuinely varied and may include both non-contentious and contentious matters. Maucher Jenkins encourages you to showcase your knowledge and talent- offering you the opportunity to put your ideas and expertise into practice.

We provide training from day one via in-house tutorials and one-to-one supervision from senior Partners and colleagues to enable you to qualify as a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney. This insightful training aims to support your development and progression into an industry of leading professionals.

At Maucher Jenkins we foster a culture of mutual respect for the individual and the expression of talent; one that inspires and empowers employees to fulfil their own potential and the potential of the firm. We are a friendly team and we take pride in our professional, encouraging and supportive culture. We are proud to attract the most talented, passionate and brightest people to this specialist and unique area of law.

Secondment opportunities to our German and Chinese offices are available.

Graduate Opportunities

A successful candidate will hold a genuine interest in IP and will be committed to enhancing not only the firm’s success, but their own development. Due to the high academic requirements for this opportunity, candidates should have a relevant STEM degree with a minimum second-class honours. They must be able to write in clear and concise English. A PhD and industry experience would be desirable, but not mandatory. We are also keen to hear from candidates with Chinese or German language skills to enable effective communications across our international client base.

Candidates should have the commitment and drive to deliver excellent client service, whilst studying for and passing professional examinations. Our trainees will be interacting with clients, so confidence, together with strong social and communication skills is beneficial, together with the ability to work in a team.

Our standards are high, but we offer the right candidates stimulating work and excellent professional development with continuous support.

Placement Opportunities

We accept applications for internships throughout the year. We are always keen to find talented individuals who can offer their knowledge and insight to the firm. Meanwhile, Maucher Jenkins is committed to upskill and support interns throughout their career development. By offering these opportunities, we are delighted to provide experience to interns where they can contribute towards professional and niche IP work.

Benefits

Maucher Jenkins offers an attractive benefits package:

Competitive salary and generous bonus scheme, achievable business targets and supportive environment, flexible and hybrid working (home and office-based) options offering a genuine work-life balance plus 25 days’ annual leave, private medical insurance, life assurance, pension scheme, study support, cycle scheme, social events and free language lessons.

Application method: If you wish to apply for a vacancy or opportunity within our firm, please submit your CV and covering letter via our website, or get in touch by email.

About Reddie & Grose

Reddie & Grose LLP is an internationally renowned firm of European and United Kingdom patent, trade mark and design attorneys. Our experienced team of over 100 IP professionals based in London, Cambridge, Munich and The Hague includes specialists in a wide range of technical disciplines.

We offer services for a wide range of industries, with particular strengths in electronics and software, mechanical engineering, chemistry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Our trade mark team provides specialist advice on branding and trade mark work; we also have a specialist team handling plant variety protection.

Range of client services

We handle the full range of IP rights for a global client base ranging from SMEs starting to consider IP through to large corporations with rights in over 100 countries. In the UK and Europe we work closely with solicitors, barristers and other members of the legal profession to support clients in litigation before the courts. Our services range from investigating competing rights, handling oppositions, drafting and filing applications, and maintaining portfolios. We resolve disputes about IP, working closely with other leading legal firms if it becomes necessary to resort to the courts.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank public holidays
• Remote home working (60% office / 40% working from home for trainees)
• Discretionary Christmas bonus
• Private Pension Scheme (with optional salary sacrifice)
• Semi-annual meetings with a Pensions Advisor
• Group Life Assurance (up to 3x salary)
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Private medical scheme
• Family friendly policies
• Cycle to work scheme (salary sacrifice scheme)
• Active social events calendar
• Eye care vouchers
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Paid Charity Leave Day
• Access to cycle store and shower facilities
• Comprehensive graduate training programme
• Paid study leave leading up to professional exams.
• Positive culture for work-life balance
• Daily delivery of fresh fruit

Minimum academic requirements

At least a 2:1 degree in a scientific or technical subject as, well as excellent English. We also welcome applications from those completing a doctorate, undertaking postgraduate research, or working in industry.

Recruitment Process

Each year we recruit a number of Trainee Patent and Trade Mark attorneys to join our successful firm. We typically advertise these roles from September – December each year.

When roles are advertised, we will review applications throughout the application window and make every effort to contact each person with the status of their application as quickly as possible. However, if our Partners decide to make an offer before the stated closing date, all pending applicants will be informed.

Following the initial screening process, successful applicants will be invited to a MS Teams interview with one partner and a member of the HR team. In addition, all candidates will be expected to complete a technical written exercise.

If successful, candidates will be invited for a second face-to-face interview with further partners, and they will have the opportunity to meet with current trainees over a coffee.

Following this, successful applicants will be offered a role within the business and unsuccessful applicants will be informed and provided feedback if requested.

Reasonable adjustments: When inviting candidates for their first-round interview, we ask whether the candidates needs reasonable adjustments and act accordingly.

Why become a Patent Attorney?

Why become a Trade Mark Attorney

Life at Reddie & Grose

Training and Development

Each year, we recruit a number of Trainee Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys to join our successful firm. Trainees join us as Technical Assistants and are allocated to our EES (Electrical, Electronics and Software), EMCP (Engineering, Materials and Consumer Products), LS (Life Sciences) and TM (Trade Mark) practice groups. To help our staff reach their full potential, we provide a comprehensive and structured training programme that is recognised as being one of the best in the profession. We invest time and resources in developing our talent, providing support from day one. Every new trainee will work closely with the partners of the firm, who will be responsible overall for training and development as the new joiners develop their role in the teams looking after our clients.

As a complement to this traditional learn by working training, we have developed a bespoke training programme for our new trainees, which is intended to bring them up to speed with some of the core concepts of intellectual property law, and to provide a degree of communal practical tuition. The training programme begins with a two-week intensive training induction (“Bootcamp”), introducing the basics of trade mark law, patent law and other intellectual property rights including design protection. The training induction also includes sessions dealing with important practical aspects of the job including, but not limited to “how to communicate with clients”, “effective marketing”, and “the role of a trainee”. The training programme then continues with weekly sessions devoted to practical training. Our trainees work through different tasks of increasing complexity each week, and their work is then assessed by a partner or qualified attorney. Both communal and individual feedback is provided as part of a group discussion. These practical training sessions ensure that all our new trainees are exposed to the same core practical examples, providing them with the tools to develop their skills together.

After this, new trainees will be supported through a 13-week part-time course leading to the Certificate in Intellectual Property Law (currently provided by Queen Mary, University of London). The Chartered Trade Mark Attorney qualification is through the part-time course at Nottingham, also known as the Trade Mark Practice, Professional Certificate. We want our trainees to have access to the best support they can get, so to support them through the formal qualification process, we offer on-the-job training, personalised in-house tutorials and access to external training courses. They are also encouraged to take advantage of courses and lectures provided by the Chartered Institute of Patent/Trade Mark Attorneys.

Reflections from some of our 2023 graduate trainees:

“It’s hard to believe it has only been a few months since we started at R&G. Bootcamp was a fantastic environment to not only meet your fellow trainees, but a great chance to get to know members of the firm across a variety of technical fields in which your day-to-day work may not take you. As a life science trainee, I think it’s important to get to grips with the mechanical-style patents we will be wrestling with in our exams. Our weekly training tasks have been very useful for this, I can’t say in my day-to-day work I come across many wasp traps or tooth paste squeezers! Following on from bootcamp I’ve dived straight into drafting responses to patent offices throughout the world.

One of the most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the job has been to understand how complex a single patent application can be when it starts to be prosecuted from America to Europe, from Canada to Japan. One invention may lead to quite different granted patents in a range of jurisdictions because of different IP law frameworks. It has been fascinating to see how an attorney has to adapt their approach to ensure the client gets the best protection for their invention, wherever they want it.” – James Cartwright

“My time so far at Reddie & Grose started with an intensive two-week bootcamp where I got to meet and work alongside the other new trainees, as well as a variety of people at the firm. In this time, we were introduced to the fundamentals of patent law, and the work of Reddie and Grose, through a series of engaging talks and activities. The bootcamp experience eased my start into the role, getting to understand the work, and the people, from the very beginning. Since then, the ongoing training programme and hands-on casework has exposed me to the variety of work at R&G; from corresponding with clients, responding to examiners and plenty of reading about innovative technology. I have enjoyed the challenge so far of getting to grips with the legal side of the work, with a focus on complex technology, whilst balancing a client’s commercial goals, and I look forward to the rest of my training towards being a qualified Patent Attorney”. – Hannah Nagle

“The initial two weeks of training set the stage for what has turned out to be an incredible learning experience. Bootcamp equipped me with the essential knowledge to navigate the intricate world of Intellectual Property, and, since then, I’ve loved the challenge of getting to grips with a wide variety of fascinating cases. From laser machining to autonomous vehicles to medical devices, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed unravelling the crux of many cutting-edge ideas. The sociable atmosphere and welcoming community has made every day enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead!” – Sam Pfeffer-Matthews

“My first two months at Reddie & Grose have been thoroughly enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the first two weeks completing ‘bootcamp’ in London; it was a great opportunity to get an insight into life at the firm from the outset, understand the fundamentals of patent law and other areas of IP law, whilst also getting to know the other trainees in my cohort and integrating with the London Office. Everyone was so supportive, friendly and sociable!

Adjusting to a completely new subject area of law and way of working has been the most challenging aspect so far and the training sessions that have continued weekly have meant that we have managed to develop our skillsets quickly whilst being exposed to a broad range of legal and technical areas in such a short space of time. Getting used to the technical law language and then applying the teaching to real-life scenarios and clients in practice has been the hardest part. I like the fact that the learning is fast-paced and continues to challenge us. Whilst we are encouraged to independently think about the tasks, the training debriefs also allow us to get involved in informed discussions with our fellow trainees and are run by partners and associates at the firm which I think has been really beneficial to learn from each other, enabling us to get different perspectives on how to approach different cases and develop professionally by getting to know our colleagues.

If I was to give any advice to people thinking about entering the patent profession, it would be that the job is a challenging role, one which requires hard work, commitment, attention to detail and the ability to process large volumes of information, but also one which is extremely interesting and rewarding.” – Chloe Skidmore

Collaborating with Pacific Legal

We are proud to partner with Pacific Legal Training, a leading legal training provider in the UK. They have developed an online, examination-focused training course for the Patent Examination Board Final Diploma Papers.

In seeking qualified tutors to lead this program, our esteemed attorneys, Bruce Torrance and Alex Maxwell-Keys, were invited to conduct the tutorials for FD1 and FD4 due to their expertise and experience. Each tutorial involves reviewing and providing personalised feedback on up to 10 trainees’ answer scripts, followed by a single debrief session conducted via Teams.

After the FD sessions led by Bruce and Alex this year (2024), we are pleased to share the following testimonials:

Alex Maxwell-Keys (FD4):

• How was the feedback and comments provided on your answer script?

“I was very happy that Alex provided clear, thoughtful and thorough comments. He had obviously spent a lot of time going through my paper.”

• Did the session meet your expectations?

“… The quality and detail of Alex’s comments was better than I expected.”

• How would you rate the effectiveness of the tutor, Alex?

“Alex was great …. His powerpoint was well put together, everything he said was clear and I came away with some great suggestions for how to tackle this challenging paper.”

Bruce Torrance (FD1):

• How was the feedback and comments provided on your answer script?

“Excellent, very clear and as an examiner I imagine was marked how the real exam script would be marked”

• Did the session meet your expectations?

“Surpassed expectations”

• How would you rate the effectiveness of the tutor, Bruce Torrance?

“Excellent, thought the method/structure used was very insightful”

At Reddie & Grose, we highly value the expertise and experience of our colleagues and take pride in passing this knowledge onto future generations.

Potter Clarkson is one of the leading pan-European firms, with eight offices across the UK, Denmark and Sweden. Following a period of rapid international expansion over the last few years, we now provide an even better place to train as a patent or trade mark attorney, or IP solicitor.

The firm is consistently ranked in the top tier of major legal guides, such as Legal 500 and MIP.

We offer clients a full IP service to support them in achieving their commercial objectives. We pride ourselves in the exceptional level of client care offered by our approachable and engaged team. The breadth of our client base means we can offer opportunities to get involved in a diverse range of work.

We pride ourselves in recruiting outstanding graduates from around the world. Following on from a thorough and tailored induction, our trainees are supported through a comprehensive and highly regarded training programme. Our pan-European presence provides inspiring opportunities for secondments and knowledge sharing across our integrated offices. The exceptional opportunities offered to our trainees mean that we achieve remarkable success in professional examinations.

We put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the centre of who we are and how we work, and are committed to ensuring that Potter Clarkson remains a welcoming workplace in which everyone can feel they belong.

We are committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance, and supporting the wellbeing of all our people. We offer a wide selection of health and wellbeing options including healthcare plans, flexible working options, a virtual Wellbeing and Social Hub, and mental health first aiders.

If you want to join our team and start an exciting IP career with Potter Clarkson, we’d love to hear from you.

At the cutting edge of innovation

Page White Farrer is at the cutting edge of innovation. Trusted by some of the world’s leading brands and exciting startups to protect the intellectual property (IP) in their latest inventions and designs, we also advise on the role of IP in their commercialisation and growth strategies and help companies to enhance their value through innovation capture.

The work is both varied and interesting – recent examples of our work include AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), fashion and wearable tech, materials science, clean energy and renewables, life sciences, healthcare, and med-tech.

From offices in London, Leeds, Exeter and Munich, we handle intellectual property worldwide and we enjoy a strong working relationship with highly respected firms overseas.

Working environment

We have a friendly and supportive and inclusive atmosphere, with flexible working arrangements. Our working environment is particularly suited to self-motivated individuals that are looking for a proactive role in both the development of the firm and of new and existing clients.

Training at Page White Farrer

Our trainees at Page White Farrer qualify as both UK and European patent attorneys. Each trainee is allocated a qualified attorney who is responsible for their on the job training and in addition to this they will be expected to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, gaining exemption from the UK foundation exams. We have a good record in training and passing exams and provide in-house tutorials, plus CIPA membership.

Graduate applications

We recruit throughout the year, in the field of computer science, electronic engineering, physics, biochemistry and chemistry, and related disciplines. We are looking for candidates in fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, health-tech, cleantech and renewables. We welcome applications from those with a PhD.

What we do

We are Mewburn Ellis, a top tier European intellectual property specialist working with organisations building the brands and technologies that will define tomorrow, using IP to nurture and protect innovations, ideas and inventions.

Why choose Mewburn Ellis?

We are one of the largest specialist IP firms in the UK, with a strong track record and reputation for providing high quality training for our graduate recruits, we strive for quality in everything we do. Just as we nurture ideas and inventions, we also cultivate careers. We want our people to have careers with us that are long-lasting, that will stretch them and are as rewarding as they are challenging.

With support from colleagues within a culture that is open and inclusive, our goal is to help you reach your potential. We’ll help you to pass your exams and develop your all-round skills as a patent attorney through our internal and external tutorials with regular input from experienced partners. This is backed up by ongoing feedback on your progress to further assist your development. And because we’re a meritocracy, your career progression is truly in your own hands.

See our brochure here.

Our culture

We are a firm that is committed to diversity of thought, ideas and viewpoints and where all our people, regardless of their background, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation feel they belong. This inclusive approach forms part of our business plan and is being driven by our management board. For us, inclusion and diversity is more than just a tick-box exercise – it is an issue that’s long been on our agenda and is becoming increasingly embedded in our culture.

We strive to be leaders in this area, and whilst we have made strong progress to date, there is always more that can be done. We already have strong gender diversity across the firm as a whole with ~1/3 men and ~2/3 women (as of end of April 2021) and are focussed on being a more inclusive firm. We have implemented a series of impactful initiatives across the firm over the last few years and continue to do so – see here for more detail.

Sustainability and Community Giving

We fully offset our unavoidable carbon emissions with carbon reduction projects. We believe we must play our part in reducing the use of energy, lowering carbon emissions and reducing waste and actively avoid causing environmental damage.

Sustainability is a complex area and an ongoing focus for our firm. Our priority is to make sure that the way we operate has as little environmental impact as possible, see here for our 5 step climate action plan and more.

Community is important to us also. For us this means nurturing our people, helping everyone develop and contributing to the wider communities in which we operate, as well as supporting worthy causes with time and money. Everyone that works at Mewburn Ellis has one community day per year to enable them to support causes they care about. In addition, we operate a Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme, so our people can donate to charities of their choice in a simple and tax effective way. Our combined community effort has amounted to more than £750,000 of investment since 2020 and 1,000’s of voluntary hours to worthy causes.

What we look for

If you possess a curious, enquiring mind, a strong academic background and excellent communication skills, especially in writing that’s a great start. General commercial awareness is also valuable. No prior knowledge of patent law is needed but a STEM degree is essential. Having an open-minded personable approach to learning will also serve you well!

Mathys & Squire is a firm of patent and trade mark attorneys advising on all aspects of intellectual property. We seek to combine technical expertise, specialist legal skills and commercial awareness to help maximise our clients’ rewards from innovation and minimise their risks in bringing that innovation to market. We have been established for over 100 years but have a dynamic approach and progressive culture.

Our requirements

We seek to recruit the very brightest and best graduates with a background in engineering and science. A curiosity about how things work, and an analytical mind and first rate communication skills are essential. Our business is focused on providing added value to our clients, so we also look for an appreciation of the commercial implications of intellectual property.

Your development at Mathys & Squire

We have an impressive portfolio of clients, from household names to emerging technologies. Our annual graduate intake is increasing to ensure that we have a sufficient number of trainees at each level of qualification, allowing all trainees to benefit from the experience of those ahead of them, as well as from the support of others within their peer group. We have an informal and friendly atmosphere; we know that hard work must be balanced with fun so we have a very active social committee who organise events from softball to quizzes to black tie parties.

We have a good record of helping trainees to prepare for professional examinations. We run internal tutorials and provide access to external courses. All of our trainees work under the direct supervision of a Partner or Associate, having exposure to clients from the very earliest stage of their career, and taking more personal responsibility for clients and their cases as they develop.

We recruit with the long-term in mind and our aim is to train our trainees to be future partners of the firm, and as such we have a visible career progression framework. In summary, we offer a stimulating environment and a rewarding career.

About us

Marks & Clerk is one of the world’s leading intellectual property firms. As early as 1911 the British press referred to Marks & Clerk as being “recognised as the greatest firm of its kind in the world”. Our world-class reputation continues today, with frequent nominations for awards and top rankings in major legal directories and surveys. Working closely with our associated solicitor firm, we provide a comprehensive range of intellectual property services to a variety of clients, from multinational corporations to the latest start-up ventures, in all sectors worldwide.

What we offer

Our extensive network and the strength of our client portfolio gives our attorneys a great platform to develop their careers, and to work on the technology that best suits their experience and interests.

Each year we recruit a group of trainees across our UK offices, who are given the support needed to achieve qualification as Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorneys. Our comprehensive in-house Training Academy, combines lectures and tutorials with mentoring and supervision from Partners and other qualified attorneys. The Academy has a strong track record and our trainees regularly receive national prizes for their examination success. In addition, our business skills training supports wider career development. We offer excellent remuneration, benefits and career development so you can enjoy a rewarding career in intellectual property.

What we are looking for

We recruit graduates with degrees in electronics, engineering (all disciplines), computer science and AI, mathematics, chemistry, life sciences, physics and robotics. We also welcome applications from those who are: completing a doctorate, undertaking postgraduate research or working in industry. At Marks & Clerk, we value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Working as a Patent Attorney is a unique, challenging and rewarding role. If you have the right qualifications, outlook and ambition, we want to hear from you!

Kilburn & Strode is a partnership in the true sense of the word. We work collegiately as a firm, pooling our knowledge and experience, and collaboratively with our clients to achieve their goals. Established in 1906, we are one of Europe’s leading patent and trade mark firms.

We’re known for professional, commercially-minded advice delivered in plain English by expert attorneys. We believe in tailoring our approach to fit each client and we thrive on the challenge of helping them to navigate the complex world of patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.

With many leading science and technology specialists amongst our attorneys, the firm is ideally placed to advise on the legal, technical and commercial interests that come together in this complex area of the law.

Our approach to training

We’re known for the quality of our structured training programme, and it’s the support we offer that really sets our approach apart, starting with a partner or associate who will mentor you throughout. Another key difference is the level of responsibility – expect to be in client meetings early on in your training. You’ll be supervised, but we know that the best (and most enjoyable) way to learn is to let you roll up your sleeves and get stuck in alongside other members of the team.

The exams can be tough, but the good news is that if you’re part of the Kilburn & Strode team, we’ll do everything we can to help you succeed.

Our people at Kilburn & Strode LLP

Our firm is rated as one of the best places to work in patents and trade marks. We keep some very demanding clients happy with advice of the highest standard, all whilst keeping our people happy too. We work closely together, and every member of the team is equally respected – patent administrators, paralegals, attorneys and our business support teams.

Keltie is an innovative and client-focused IP firm with an award-winning working environment and an enviable mix of clients, who admire our commercial approach. If you join us, you will be welcomed into a modern, forward-thinking firm where a culture of hard work, reward and enjoyment go hand in hand. Your contributions and ideas will be heard, and your personality will be celebrated. We operate as one team throughout the firm.

Experience at Keltie

Keltie’s training focuses on gaining knowledge and experience through exposure to real attorney work. Our trainees are included in a wide range of interesting and demanding IP matters from the outset. Qualified attorneys work closely with trainees throughout their training and every job is an opportunity for learning. Trainees are trusted with the responsibility of interacting with clients at an early stage; they are not hidden from view behind a partner’s signature and can take ownership of their own work with pride, enjoying the satisfaction of building valuable client relationships from day one.

Variety

Trainees work in different client teams across many specialist practices, and across the IP lifecycle, including patent drafting, patent prosecution, IP strategy and contentious matters. Although one partner has oversight of a trainee’s workload and development, trainees will work with many attorneys across the firm, gaining a great breadth of experience.

Support

At Foundation level, trainees can choose between the Foundation examinations or the Bournemouth University course, both complemented by an in-house seminar series. At Finals level, trainees are encouraged to tackle exams at a pace that suits them. Exam-focused tutorials are available in-house and each trainee is provided with a budget and leave for external courses. The combination of early exposure to a wide variety of work, frequent input from qualified attorneys, and tutorial support gives rise to consistently excellent performances from our trainees.

About Us

J A Kemp LLP is one of the largest UK and European patent and trade mark attorney firms with offices in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and Munich.

J A Kemp LLP’s patent attorneys handle patent applications in the UK, Europe and worldwide. The firm has particular expertise in patent oppositions and appeals, especially before the European Patent Office.

J A Kemp LLP has a varied client base ranging from startups, spinouts and SMEs through to some of the largest corporate clients and most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

Opportunities Available

We are looking for bright graduates suited to an intellectually challenging and rewarding career that brings together a unique blend of science, law and business skills.

Trainee Patent Attorney candidates should have an excellent track record of achievement at school and university, with a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a scientific or technical subject, preferably physics, engineering, computer science, chemistry or biosciences. We are open to applications from candidates holding or studying for a first or higher degree or doctorate.

Essential skills: Excellent spoken and written English, an enquiring and analytical mind, an eye for detail, motivation, drive, a team player, listening skills, leadership and people skills.

Training at J A Kemp

We offer a programme of training to take you right through to qualification as a patent attorney (European and UK Chartered). We support you with one to one mentoring, external courses, internal tutorials and on-the-job training. We are very proud of our training programme and the examination success rate achieved by our candidates. We will continue to support your professional development throughout your career with the firm. We offer a good work/life balance combined with excellent salary prospects, flexible working and generous benefits. We have a friendly and supportive culture.