Are you looking for a career with a difference?

HGF is a leading intellectual property firm in Europe, with one of the largest specialist life sciences teams in the IP profession. We are an award-winning firm, among only a few firms ranked Gold for Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals in the Financial Times ‘Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms’ 2022,  Due to successful growth we now have an opportunity for a life sciences graduate to join us as a trainee in our Life Sciences Team in Manchester or Glasgow.

The patent profession requires dedication to  work and train  over a period of about 4 – 5 years to become a dual-qualified Chartered UK Patent Attorney and a European Patent Attorney.  You’ll need impressive academic qualifications and a high level of self-discipline and attention to detail.  You’ll be someone who can quickly distil what is important, combined with an ability to focus on detail when required.  You’ll also need to be happy and interested to apply your intellect to many different inventions across the biological sciences, and enjoy a fast-paced work environment dealing with multiple matters on a daily basis. Client handling and care are also key, requiring confidence and good interpersonal skills.

Main Responsibilities

The opportunity is in our Manchester or Glasgow offices, assisting a couple of our experienced partners and directors; and other members of the wider Life Sciences Team in our other offices, as might be needed.  Flexible or hybrid working is available, however you may be required to come in to the office, or be called upon to travel to our other offices or client premises from time to time, whether for meetings or client work.  The role is demanding of intellect and effort and will require consistent application and significant commitment for self-study out of office hours over a number of years. However, the rewards of qualification and a stable long-term career await those who succeed.   Typically, the majority of the role involves close critical reading of documents, such as research papers and patent specifications, summarising or briefing others as to their technical content, technical writing of patent specifications and formulating written and oral technical and legal arguments.

About You

• Have a 1^st class or upper 2^nd degree from a high-ranking global university in a related subject area
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills in the English language;
• Be confident and flexible in attitude and approach;
• Be able to operate in an intellectually demanding and time-pressured environment; and
• Be a team player.

About HGF:

HGF Limited is one of Europe’s largest intellectual property specialist firms and one of only a few to offer a fully integrated IP solution, bringing over 200 Patent Attorneys, Trade Mark Attorneys and IP Solicitors together to provide a full-service IP solution.

With 22 offices across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, France, Switzerland & Austria, HGF’s Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys provide specialist technical and legal advice to blue chip organisations and small to medium businesses across the world.  Many of our clients are household names and the work HGF does allows them to protect and exploit their inventions, new products and branding.

Why move to HGF?

• HGF takes a transparent and merit-based approach to your career development and you will have the opportunity to shape your long-term progression.
• We’re a firm with a focus on DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion), with a staff led DEI Focus Group and an DEI Board sponsor
• As a business we have a dedicated Learning and Development team and a digital learning platform for all staff to use
• A competitive salary and benefits package along with a flexible working policy

To Apply:

HGF is committed to promoting an equal, diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all candidates with relevant skills for the role. As part of this recruitment process we are utilising a “blind” CV process at the initial stage of application filtering.

If the above sounds like the opportunity for you, please email your CV (including the subject results for Highers/A Levels or equivalent) with a letter explaining why you want to become a Patent Attorney via the link below.

HGF Values

• People – People matter. We treat people fairly, with respect and compassion. We foster a friendly, inclusive and enjoyable culture for everyone to prosper in. We invest in our people and offer appropriate coaching and training to assist with development and learning. We promote a healthy work-life balance. Progression is based on merit.
• Excellence –  We strive to be the best. We pursue excellence in all our individual roles resulting in outstanding legal and technical advice for our clients. Our people are pragmatic, responsive and commercially minded. We do not presume but listen to understand so we can engage proactively and appropriately.
• Teamwork – We stand together. We work with our clients to protect their interests, and with each other as a mutually supporting firm. We value, appreciate and listen to others, regardless of role, recognising each individual’s particular blend of talent, skill and experience. We are individually and jointly accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.

Progressive – We innovate. We continually improve our services and processes through understanding, creativity, and investment. We evolve by taking opportunities and adopting new business procedures, unencumbered by historical structures or out-of-date attitudes. As a firm, we have an entrepreneurial spirit, and encourage new thinking in our people.