Why did you choose a job in this profession?

I decided to pursue a career in patent law after finishing my PhD in Life Sciences because I wanted to continue working at the forefront of the innovation in the biotechnology sector and in a job where I can help bring inventions driving the field forward from the lab bench to the market. As a patent attorney, I get to interact closely with inventors carrying out exciting translational research as well as large clients at the helm of the sector. If you, too, enjoy keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry, learning something new every day, and employing your scientific expertise outside the lab, consider this career.

What are your main duties?

I have been introduced to a diverse array of work from day one. Much of my work involves patent prosecution, which includes preparing responses to office actions issued by various patent offices, drafting arguments responding to the examiner’s objections, and amending the claims accordingly. It can be very rewarding to spot what is clever about each invention and synthesise my legal and technical knowledge in persuading the examiner. As I progress through my training, I have also become more involved in contentious work, reviewing relevant prior art documents – research articles and patent literature alike – and preparing arguments in opposition or appeal proceedings.

At D Young, I have been trusted with important client-facing work from an early stage. At the same time, all of my work is checked by experienced attorneys who have been generous with the amount of structured feedback they provide. It is important not to be deterred by an overwhelming amount of red pen early on – everyone was a new trainee once!

What skills are useful in this profession?

My day-to-day work involves a heavy focus on detail and the ability to synthesise large amounts of information across several technical documents. While often challenging, this aspect of the job can be highly rewarding if, like me, you are a deeply analytical person who enjoys looking for clues and solving puzzles.

Because this profession requires the ability to quickly familiarise yourself with a diverse range of inventions, you will also benefit from a strong foundational background across your field of expertise. You should also be aware that this career comes with a steep learning curve – not only will you be faced with many different inventions, but there is also a lot of legal knowledge to acquire. You will be expected to dedicate time and effort to studying for your qualifying exams during and outside of your normal working hours. Be resilient, learn to manage your time effectively, but know that this is a career where your effort will be rewarded.