Why did you choose a job in this profession?

Early on in my career, I had been drawn to science because I enjoyed hands-on lab work. However, I later realised that I only enjoyed the research when experiments worked as planned (which was less often that I had imagined…), and I began to find the inevitable setbacks and unpredictability of lab work frustrating. At the same time, I realised that I gained far more satisfaction from the analytical and writing aspects of my research, particularly in interpreting results and clearly explaining complex ideas.

I have always been quite precise and detail-oriented, and I enjoy getting into the technical “nitty‑gritty” of science and engineering. In the final year of my PhD, I realised that a career as a patent attorney would allow me to combine my love of science, my interest in new technologies and gadgets, and my natural particularness, without the day‑to‑day frustrations of lab work.

What are your main duties?

My day-to-day work is varied, but most mornings start by reviewing emails that have come in overnight from clients or foreign associate firms. These usually relate to updates from patent offices or instructions on how to progress an application.

A large part of my role involves preparing letters to both clients and patent offices. Client reporting letters typically involve summarising an examination report, particularly the examiner’s objections, and recommending how we might respond. Once we receive instructions from the client, I can then draft the formal response to be sent to the patent office. This often involves developing detailed technical and legal arguments and making carefully considered amendments to the application. The aim is to convince the examiner that the invention is novel and inventive (which can sometimes be quite challenging!).

I have also been fortunate to gain a good amount of drafting experience early in my career, having drafted around a dozen patent applications within my first year and a half. Drafting has been a steep learning curve but has really helped in my understanding of the structure of a patent specification and the importance of choosing every word carefully, as it may be scrutinised by an examiner or later in proceedings or litigation.

On some days, I attend client meetings by with my supervisor, usually to support the drafting process or explain the next steps in the patent application journey. I have also had opportunities to get involved in business development activities and to meet some excellent early-stage innovators and organisations within the wider innovation ecosystem.

What skills are useful in this profession?

Attention to detail is essential in this profession, as small wording changes can have significant technical and legal consequences. It is also important to be able to break an invention down into its constituent elements to fully understand what the inventor has created, whilst also stepping back to see the broader picture in order to secure the widest possible protection.

Whilst there is a lot of writing involved, you do not need to be a creative writer. The focus is on logical and precise writing rather than flowery language, so the ability to clearly explain complex ideas is far more important.

Do you have any advice for wanting to enter the profession?

My main advice would be to be prepared to learn! The training and exams are challenging, and the volume of revision can feel daunting, but firms are usually very supportive throughout the process. At Marks & Clerk, for example, new trainees all start at the same time, so you train as part of a cohort, which provides a strong support network during what can be an intense period.

There is no need to complete a specialist course in patents or IP, or to have done an internship beforehand, as these opportunities can be difficult to come by anyway. That said, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of what a patent is, the general patent process, and the training required, as this shows a genuine interest in the profession and also helps you get an idea whether this career path is the right fit for you.