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:

	Hannah Brace "When considering the last two months of training, it is incredible to reflect on how much I have learned (… and how much there is to learn) about the patent and trade mark profession. Our bootcamp was a wonderful experience which introduced us to a wide scope of patent and trade mark basics, whilst bonding us as a cohort. As a cohort from our London and Cambridge offices we also have a training day every Monday, during which we get set a practical task and the opportunity to go through our (sometimes slightly off-kilter) answers with a qualified attorney. So far these tasks have involved search reports, examination reports, additional fee invitations and formal objections, to name but a few. Overall, I have enjoyed learning and developing so many new skills. It has been a steep, exciting and rewarding learning curve, as I have gained confidence in all things patent-y.”
	Tim Higginbotham “My first few months at R&G have given me a strong platform from which I can continue my training in IP. Bootcamp was a great way to learn the essentials of the trade and provided the opportunity to get to know my cohort and many members of the team. On the other hand, the continued Monday training sessions are useful in exposing me to specific tasks which are similar to the work I now do regularly. I find that the challenging parts of the job are also the enjoyable ones, especially working through technical arguments and putting into practise various aspects of the law which I have learnt so far. Overall, I have found my time both interesting and rewarding – I’m looking forward to learning more!”
	Georgina Tanner “Joining Reddie & Grose straight from university, I found bootcamp to be highly beneficial in assisting my adjustment to the world of work. Bootcamp allowed me to get to know my cohort and existing employees as well as gain an understanding of core principles that I am now using on a day-to-day basis. It gave us new trainees the platform to discuss and develop this key knowledge. Bootcamp provided me with the confidence and skills to begin my official training. So far one of the most enjoyable aspects of the job has been being encouraged to get involved with a wide variety of work. Not only has this allowed me to be exposed to multiple areas of the job, but it also made me feel included in the team from day one. I would encourage anyone looking to enter the trademark profession to consider the extent of commercial exposure available as this is not only interesting, but also valuable when applying the legal principles to the current market.”