Intellectual Property (IP) law is at the very centre of corporate advances. As technology becomes more sophisticated at ever faster speeds, the need for businesses to constantly innovate, create and produce new ideas, products and services also increases.

IP is undoubtedly a fascinating area of law, in which attorneys, lawyers, analysts, managers and support staff can find themselves working at the cutting edge of technological advances.

2018 graduates

We’ll shortly be seeing 2018’s graduates leave the confines of university and branch out into their future careers. There will be many who have already decided on IP law, and others who perhaps do not know enough about it.

You don’t need a law degree to be a patent attorney, for example. In fact, you must have a first degree in a STEM subject to be eligible to train as a patent attorney. A law, language, arts or a business degree or similar would be advantageous for those looking to train as a trade mark attorney, and various support positions are also available.

Working in IP law

At Dawn Ellmore Employment, we specialise in recruitment within the Intellectual Property sector, and we can help graduates find their way into a career within IP. I’ve broken down the types of positions available to graduates depending on their type of degree below:

First degree in a STEM subject

If you’re graduating with your first degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) subject then the following positions are viable:

  • Patent Attorney – roles within private practice are more obtainable at trainee level, although it is possible to find occasional in-house trainee positions.
  • IP or Patent Manager – these positions are working in-house to protect the company’s IP. You would act as the point of contact between inventors and the external patent attorneys.
  • Patent Analyst – people in these positions perform patent searches related to validity and freedom to operate and how patentable an invention is. It’s also their role to report the results in a clear, concise format.
  • Patent Examiner – reviewing patent applications and searching prior art in order to determine whether a patent should be granted.
  • Technology Transfer – usually working for a university, activities include commercialising IP, creating spin-out companies and overseeing licensing.
  • Support Roles – all kinds of roles including administrator, formalities, records and secretarial positions.

First degree outside of STEM subjects

  • Trade Mark Attorney – if you have a language, arts or a business degree then this could be your pathway into IP law. A law degree is often advantageous also.
  • Trade Mark Solicitor/Lawyer – here, you would assist clients on certain areas of IP, including brand strategy, protection and dispute resolution.
  • Trade Mark Paralegal – working with trade mark attorneys, supporting their work by conductions searches, preparing evidence and making applications.
  • Trade Mark Examiner – you would review trade mark applications and search for similar marks to determine whether an application is allowed.
  • Support Roles – this covers administrative, formalities, records and secretarial roles.

Contact Dawn Ellmore Employment

If you are looking for a role in the Intellectual Property sector, contact the team at Dawn Ellmore Employment. Established in 1995, we have a vast amount experience in this area of recruitment and are well placed to help you find your ideal position in IP.