In my role as a trainee patent attorney, I split my day across a variety of tasks which include preparing response letters, which involve highly technical scientific and legal arguments, to various patent offices across the world, reporting the progress of patent applications to clients and drafting brand-new patent specifications (this typically takes several days).  Most of my work is done independently and then reviewed by the case partner – we usually chat through any changes they have made or suggestions they have for improvement.  I also have various internal tasks such as helping with business development, organising socials and softball matches (yes, softball!) against other patent law firms and presenting in team meetings.  I particularly enjoy getting to attend meetings with our clients to understand their motivation behind each patent application and how we can get it pushed through to grant for them.

I enjoy being a trainee patent attorney because I get to use the skills and knowledge that I learnt in my degree and apply them to help protect actual scientific inventions (and often get to see these inventions before anyone else given that they aren’t in the public domain yet!). The key skills needed are excellent time management and attention to detail.

At J A Kemp, there is a large cohort of trainees with different scientific backgrounds, and we all sit together in one section of the office.  This is extremely helpful when it comes to day-to-day legal and cross-discipline scientific questions, as well as being able to support each other through the many exams that we have to sit. Additionally, the firm provides great support for our exams by organising internal tutorials and case law presentations, sending us on external training courses and assigning everyone a partner as their individual mentor.  Each trainee also works with a legal assistant to streamline administrative tasks.

It has been extremely interesting learning to apply new legal concepts to my existing scientific expertise.  In fact, just under two years in, one of the most surprising aspects of the job is the breadth of scientific topics that I have worked on.  I have covered inventions relating to small-molecule drugs, solid-state batteries, agrochemicals, biotechnology, concrete and much more!

My typical hours are 9-5 so there is plenty of time for exercise, socialising with friends and going to the pub with colleagues.  The hours can vary (especially close to deadlines) but on the whole they are good.  The firm is full of lots of friendly people who are keen to help you learn and improve and always happy to answer any questions.

Overall, I would highly recommend this career to any science graduate interested in applying their degree in a less conventional way but still wanting a rewarding and challenging career (and no lab work!).