Career Decision: Explain why you decided to pursue a career as a patent attorney

As I was nearing the end of my university degree, I realised that while I enjoyed learning, discussing, and writing about science, I didn’t enjoy spending hours each day in the lab, restricted to one particular area of chemistry. I wanted a career that was intellectually stimulating, where I would be constantly learning new things and solving complex problems.

I considered becoming a solicitor and attended an insight day which encouraged graduates with science degrees to enter the legal profession. However, I quickly understood that even as an intellectual property solicitor, I wouldn’t be able to apply the chemistry knowledge I’d found interesting and worked hard to gain. I spoke to a patent attorney who had had similar thoughts after finishing university, and I discovered that their career offered an unusual and special combination of the things I enjoyed.

Qualifications & Training: Provide some background on your qualifications and the training you’ve undertaken

I have an MSci in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Durham. I enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature and found that it has provided a good foundation for understanding the varying inventions I come across in the job. I took a year out and then started at Marks & Clerk in September 2024.

A little over a year into starting, I sat the five UK Foundation exams (October 2025) and was awarded the Moss Prize for the highest aggregate mark in FC1 and FC3. I also passed Paper F (the pre-examination for the European Qualifying Exams) in March 2026. The training at Marks & Clerk is done in-house through the Training Academy, involving regular lectures to learn the content for the exams and interactive classes to work through past paper questions. This is alongside the day job, where I work closely with my supervisor to learn and develop the practical skills of a patent attorney.

Current Role: Describe what your current role involves

As a trainee, most of my work involves responding to examination reports, where I assess the examiner’s objections regarding the patentability of the invention, review the relevant prior art, and propose a strategy to the client. Each response is different, and I often work on applications from all over the world. For instance, one day I might be prosecuting a Japanese application, and the next, a Brazilian one. I have also had the opportunity to work on opposition matters before the European Patent Office and attend oral proceedings virtually, which has been a great experience.

This, combined with the range of technologies we work with, means that each task is different and there are lots of learning opportunities. I’ve also had the chance to be involved in drafting a patent application, which is a completely different skill set to develop. I also handle tasks such as providing cost estimates to clients, forecasting when examination reports may be issued, and requesting updates on application statuses.

Advice: Share any advice you have for aspiring professionals

The patent attorney profession is a unique combination of science and law, so I think being able to demonstrate the main skills required is really important, as all applicants will have a similar science-based degree. Strong verbal and written communication skills are key, so consider preparing examples of where you have demonstrated this previously. For example, you may be asked to explain how an invention works in a clear and concise manner during the application process. Also, make sure to proofread each application thoroughly to check for any grammatical and spelling errors, and perhaps ask someone else to review it as well.

Aside from this, I would recommend familiarising yourself with the training and exams involved, as it’s a challenging process that takes several years. I think firms want to see that you’re prepared for the commitment!