Why did you choose a job in this profession?
Admittedly, I was not familiar with the world of intellectual property until my third year of university, when I spotted a sign which read “Scientists can be lawyers too!” at the university careers fair. After speaking with the responsible company’s representatives and doing some further research into the job profile, I realised it may be a good fit.
In my final year of university, I completed my MChem research project on industrial placement at an SME in Scotland. It was during this time that I gained a deeper appreciation for the role of intellectual property in establishing growth opportunities and a competitive market advantage for the company. At the same time, I came to the realisation that a life in the lab was not for me! It was these experiences which led me to apply for a position as a trainee patent attorney.
What was the application process like – any advice?
The application process at Hoffmann Eitle involved an initial submission of a CV and cover letter, followed by a video interview with two partners of the firm and a subsequent in-person interview and accompanying written assessment in the London office. The interviews tested general chemical knowledge and went more in-depth about research projects undertaken at university. A good thing to note would be that you should be able to demonstrate a holistic approach to your projects, e.g. if your work involved a lot of XRPD characterization, it is great to be able to explain the results and what they mean, but you should also be able to explain the theory behind the XRPD technique. In addition, some research projects (mine included) concern very niche areas of chemistry, so you should be able to explain your work without assuming that your interviewer has any prior knowledge of the research area.
What are your main duties?
One of my favourite aspects of the job is that every day is different. My tasks range from formulating arguments for and writing responses to Search Reports from the European Patent Office (EPO), drafting patent applications, and working on opposition statements against granted patents. The technologies I have worked on span a wide range of chemical sectors including batteries, polymers, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals; this breadth of subject matter makes every day interesting!
At Hoffmann Eitle, trainees have the advantage of engaging with clients from an early stage, and I have been involved in numerous calls with clients and external counsel in my short time at the firm. In addition, I have attended several videoconference hearings before EPO Opposition Divisions and even attended an in-person hearing before the Board of Appeal in Munich this year. These are valuable experiences which have helped me to understand the real-world impact of the job.
What skills are useful in this profession?
My case work relies heavily on document analysis, and the main output of my work lies in writing up client letters and submissions to the EPO. As such, some key attributes for the job include having a keen eye for detail and good written communication skills. As the work is very deadline-driven, you often find yourself working on multiple projects at once, so being able to manage your time effectively and organize your workload is certainly another key to success.
What would you like to achieve in the future?
At this early stage in my training, my focus is on qualifying as a UK and European patent attorney. This will involve several years of intense study in order to pass both the foundation and qualifying exams, but I am certainly looking forward to the challenge.
On another note, Hoffmann Eitle offers all London trainees the opportunity to undertake a six-month secondment to the Munich office. I intend to make full use of this opportunity next year and experience Bavarian culture!
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to enter the profession?
If you are interested in applying to trainee positions, I would recommend reading trainee profiles on the IPCareers website and reaching out to trainees at your firm(s) of interest in order to get a sense of whether the job is for you.
When you start your trainee position, I would stress that you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you don’t grasp the work immediately. As trained scientists, we are all new to this type of job and it certainly takes a while to get to grips with specific aspects of the law. Your supervisors/trainers understand this and don’t expect you to hit the ground running – they are always on hand to help! I am fortunate to work directly with four partners at the firm, which provides me with a wide variety of cases and writing styles to learn from. I am now 9 months into the job and my confidence level has skyrocketed since I started!
