Patent Attorney

Typical Salary

£23,000 To £100,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

evenings occasionally

How To Become a Patent Attorney

You can get into this job through:

a university course
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

You'll usually need a degree in a scientific, engineering, mathematical or technical subject. A postgraduate qualification in science or engineering may give you an extra advantage.

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

You could start your career by finding work as a technical assistant or trainee patent attorney. This may be in a firm of attorneys, or in an industrial patent department. Once working, you would take further training to qualify. This route can take between 4 and 6 years.

You may be able to find work without a scientific or engineering degree if you've got high-level technical experience in industry. This may also apply if you're a qualified solicitor with experience of working in intellectual property rights.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
knowledge of English language
excellent verbal communication skills
active listening skills
analytical thinking skills
the ability to read English
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

meeting inventors or manufacturers
searching existing patents to check the invention or design is original
advising about the chances of being granted a patent
writing a detailed legal description of the invention or design - known as a patent draft
applying for patents to the UK Intellectual Property Office or European Patent Office
answering questions from patent examiners
advising clients whose patent rights may have been broken
representing clients if a case comes to court
advising on other issues like design rights and copyright
keeping up-to-date with intellectual property law
coaching new trainees

Working Environment

You could work in a court, in an office or at a client's business.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you can register with the Intellectual Property Regulation Board

Career tips

It may help in some jobs if you can read French and German to a reasonable level, as clients often want advice about European patents, which can be prepared in English, French or German.

Further information

You can find more details about working in intellectual property rights from The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.