About us

Venner Shipley is a top-tier European IP firm with a team of patent, design and trade mark attorneys, solicitors and barristers providing a complete IP service. We are based across the UK in London, Bristol, Cambridge, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells, Manchester and Oxford, as well as in Madrid and Munich.   Our clients range from leading corporations to SMEs, universities and individual inventors. Clients value our straight-forward approach, practical advice, and the clarity we bring to situations. We are friendly, collaborative and easy to work with.  We pride ourselves on maintaining a culture where trainees are supported by colleagues at every stage of qualification.

We are a member of IP Inclusive promoting equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the IP profession and have partnerships with INTO University and the Sutton Trust to support broadening access to the profession.

What we do

Our multi-disciplinary team advises on a wide range of intellectual property matters across multiple jurisdictions. We have specialist teams in electronics, software, AI, chemistry, biotechnology, materials and engineering, with attorneys working across technical disciplines to deliver creative, commercially focused solutions.

Our attorneys work with some of the most exciting emerging technologies, including AI, quantum technologies, advanced materials, medical devices, telecommunications and life sciences innovations.

Life as a trainee

As a new trainee you will be exposed to a broad range of work from the start, working closely with experienced attorneys on commercially significant innovations and international patent portfolios. This is likely to include meeting inventors for innovation harvesting, drafting and filing patent applications and responding to examination reports issued from patent offices.

All our trainees have a nominated supervisor as well as a buddy and are part of a large cohort of trainees across all disciplines within our different office locations who come together for training and social events. There is lots of support to help you as you go through the qualification process and beyond. We have internal training programmes at different stages of your career as well as external courses and exam preparation tutorials.

What we look for in candidates

We are looking for intellectually curious candidates who are excited by technology, enjoy analytical problem solving and constantly learning new things.  Patent law offers a unique opportunity to combine science, innovation, law and commercial strategy. You will need a STEM degree at 2.1 or above. We also welcome applications from students with masters, doctorates and/or industry experience. You need to enjoy applying your scientific knowledge to practical situations, have strong problem-solving skills, excellent written communication skills and an interest in law.