About EIP

EIP is an award-winning specialist patent firm with offices in Europe and the US and combines patent attorneys, litigators, and commercial IP lawyers to provide clients with a seamless service. EIP has an impressive global client base from SMEs to multinational blue-chip companies and includes telecoms owners, major software developers, pharma and biotech companies, medical device manufacturers, aerospace and logistics companies.

EIP has been recognised for its expertise across legal directories and awards. For the third year in a row, EIP has been ranked in the FT’s list of Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms. In 2021, EIP received gold ranking in six categories. For the past four years, EIP has also been named as Managing IP’s ‘UK Patent Contentious Firm of the Year’.

Diversity is an intrinsic part of EIP’s business culture. We are proud to support the IP Inclusive initiative and we are a signatory to the IP Inclusive Charter. EIP actively engages in diversity efforts and is committed to developing an attitude of openness for the benefit of all those working in the IP profession.

EIP has a friendly, progressive, and mutually supportive working environment.

About the litigation team

Formed in November 2011, our substantial multi award-winning patent litigation practice is highly successful for its clients and highly ranked in the legal directories. Our cross-border team of patent litigators sits in Germany and the UK thus allowing us to service clients in two of the key European patent litigation jurisdictions.

Our innovative combination of experienced specialist patent litigators and the wide variety of technical specialties of our patent attorneys provides an invaluable combination of professionals to work with to evaluate the fine detail of any case both technically and legally.

As borne out by our long line of client successes in the court room, this combination gives EIP and its clients an invaluable tool for the early identification and preparation of the most suitable case for our clients’ needs, and the progression of that case through to trial.

The litigation team has offices in London and Dusseldorf. It currently has 8 partners, 2 Managing Associates, 15 Associates and 2 trainees.

We have been awarded UK Firm of the Year for patent litigation four years in a row.

About the Trainee Solicitor role

We are looking for a Trainee Solicitor to join our leading litigation department who will cover the following areas:

• Drafting a variety of legal documents
• Legal research
• Attending client and expert meetings and taking accurate notes
• Assisting with the preparation of cases
• Attending hearings

Additionally, the Trainee Solicitor will develop their skills in other areas, to include:

• Client care
• Practice support
• Case management
• Oral presentation
• Communication skills
• Business development

You will have the opportunity to work in IP litigation, supporting fee earners in all aspect of their contentious and non-contentious work. During the second year of your training contract, you will gain experience in commercial law; in that regard, many of our trainees undertake a secondment with one of our clients or one of our partner law firms.

This is a unique opportunity for an aspiring trainee solicitor with an interest in IP law to establish their career and work on large patent litigation cases. Individual thinking is encouraged, and everyone gets fully involved and takes ownership of their work to achieve the best for the client and also develop their career in an innovative and forward-thinking IP law firm.

Trainees will be considered for an Associate position upon qualification.

Skills, experience & qualifications

We would be interested to hear from STEM graduates (or from graduates in other disciplines who can demonstrate an interest and aptitude in hard IP) who are currently completing or have already completed their Legal Practice Course (LPC) / Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). An academic background in IP law and/or a STEM subject is desirable but not essential. Candidates may have but are not required to have an MSc or a PhD qualification in a scientific subject.

You will be comfortable working in a modern, fast-paced environment where you are given a level of autonomy to do your work.

Successful candidates will also be able to demonstrate the following:

• An appropriate professional attitude (personable, well prepared, flexible and enthusiastic)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely, and the ability to structure a precise and coherent argument
• Ability to deal with a variety of people at different levels
• Ability to balance knowledge of intellectual property law against commercial requirements
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent research and presentation skills
• Meticulous attention to detail, and an analytical mind
• Initiative and the ability to act independently

Other information

Full academic and professional support ensures EIP are training the Intellectual Property stars of tomorrow.

We offer hybrid working, three days in the office and two from home.

The firm has a friendly, progressive and mutually supportive working environment along with a smart casual dress policy and stylish modern offices.

Benefits & Rewards

Our Trainees receive a competitive salary and enjoy several benefits:

• Discretionary bonus
• 25 days of holiday, excluding bank holidays
• Private medical health care
• Free eye tests
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Group personal pension plan
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
• Flex leave
• Holiday Loyalty

Equal opportunities

EIP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.

If you would like to be considered for this position, please email your CV and Cover Letter, providing information about your availability to start a new role. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the talent team.