A Patent Attorney is a member of a specialised legal profession qualified to advise clients about patents and help them get their patents granted by the patent offices around the world. We represent applicants at the European Patent Office (EPO) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), and work with foreign attorneys to obtain patents in other countries.
The work we do
Mewburn Ellis: the forward-looking IP firm.
A patent is a monopoly granted for a new scientific invention, relating to anything from computers and electronics to new pharmaceuticals and useful gene sequences.
Patent Attorneys may be employed “in-house” by companies or may work in private practice firms (just like solicitors). If you work in a private firm, you will work for numerous different clients ranging from individual inventors, universities, start-ups, large international companies or attorneys from abroad. A good Patent Attorney needs to be adaptable to deal with these different clients and be quick to learn new technologies.
The training usually takes four to five years and you are required to pass various professional exams to qualify as a UK Patent Attorney and a European Patent Attorney.
Patent Attorneys also often advise clients about other intellectual property rights, such as trade marks, designs and copyright.
What do you need to be a Patent Attorney?
We speak to Intellectual Property firm Mewburn Ellis about what you need to embark on a career as a Patent Attorney.
What do you need to be a Patent Attorney?
A good science or engineering degree and a broad-based interest in science and technology - have you ever taken something apart to see how it works?
Excellent communications skills, especially in writing
A thoughtful approach to words and language
Good people skills to deal with clients and explain complex technical ideas and legal advice to them
The ability to work to tight deadlines and to handle several projects simultaneously
The ability to deal with detail as well as seeing the bigger picture
Commercial sense
One of the key skills of a Patent Attorney is using precise language to reduce an invention to its essential features.
Best bits
Variety of work, both in terms of clients and technology
Intellectually stimulating
Very financially rewarding, especially when qualified
A job that enables you to use your science in a commercial way
A well-structured career progression with good job security, particularly when qualified.
Worst bits
Stiff competition for jobs
Tough exams to pass, requiring study and revision outside of office hours
Multiple deadlines set by clients and patent offices, sometimes these can be tight!
Due to the above, the role can at times mean working long hours to get a piece of work completed on time
