I have a dream job that blends technology, the law and commerce!

I’m a dual qualified patent attorney in the UK and Europe and would like to share three key junctions in my career that helped me to get to where I am today:

Science / engineering or IP law?

With a background in general sciences / computer science and an early career in software engineering, my first decision came post-graduation: do I stay in tech or make a leap into IP law?

Whilst I love all things STEM-related, 20+ years ago, tech careers were not as varied as they are today, and I didn’t want to stay on a purely technical path.

IP law intrigued me – a chance to use the arts subjects I’ve also always enjoyed (written / verbal communication; reasoning; debating) blended with cutting-edge technical innovations and a commercial backdrop.

I was hooked!

I made my choice and started on the 5-6 year path towards dual qualification whilst also working in big tech (IBM).

In-house or private practice?

After qualification came my second decision: do I stay in-house or try out private practice?

Whilst I would recommend trying a mix of the two over your career if you can, for me personally, I’m most energised when I’m strategising side-by-side with commercial leaders and technologists. You simply can’t beat an in-house role for immersing yourself in a business where trusted attorneys are viewed as being “on the same team”.

After many years of varied IP roles including IP protection and commercialisation at IBM, my next move was to the in-house team at Group Lotus – a luxury automotive brand.

Traditional patent attorney or broader IP professional?

My third and final decision has been more of a slow-burn. Making a long-term decision to qualify as a patent attorney takes commitment – the exam process is lengthy and tough and it’s also a fairly specialised career.

Whilst the core of any patent attorney’s role is going to involve protecting and defending inventions, my roles in-house have given me the chance to spread my wings further.

I now handle issues across all forms of IP (including copyright, trade secrets and trade marks). I have also held roles with scopes much broader than that of a typical patent attorney – I’ve had the chance to work on IP regulatory and policy matters in exciting fields such as, AI, data and cybersecurity; managed IP issues through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and also led IP harvesting on a stunning new concept car!

Good luck!

I hope these junctures will help in the decisions you have to make on your career paths – I wish you the best of luck!

Patent Attorney

Last Updated: November 5, 2024