At a Glance
- Tasks: Use your physics knowledge to work on exciting innovations and inventions.
- Company: Join Mewburn Ellis, a leading European intellectual property firm with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous salary, hybrid working, 30 days leave, and various perks.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in cutting-edge fields like quantum computing and medical devices.
- Qualifications: Strong academic background in physics or related fields; no prior patent law knowledge needed.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
Life as a Trainee Patent Attorney means using your academic background in a stimulating and varied way. Working on innovations and inventions at the forefront of your scientific field. At Mewburn Ellis we’re collegial, supportive and progressive. With an industry-leading training programme and a placement scheme that keeps learning fresh and insightful we ensure that you’re set up to develop quickly and learn about the profession from a variety of partners from day one.
Trained for Excellence is one of our key values that permeates our firm. Our training programme underpins who we are and our forward-looking, ambitious approach.
Physics, high technology and electronics are particularly fast-moving dynamic growth areas for our business. Our technology and engineering group has rapidly grown in size to meet this demand and is now one of the largest in Europe. Some of the key areas that we work in include: photonics, LiDAR, medical device technologies, informatics, quantum computing, telecommunications, fusion reactors and space systems to name but a few. Join us and you could work in these fields with a range of clients from well-known companies such as Hitachi, Unilever and Mitsubishi Electric through to new start-ups and innovation leading universities.
The role involves working closely with colleagues across our physics, technology and engineering group but also with attorneys from our life sciences and chemistry practice groups, as well as our solicitors and trade mark team. We take a holistic approach to IP and that will be a theme throughout your training and beyond.
Our training programme is varied and sometimes challenging, but always rewarding. You will be invested in to grow personally and professionally. There’ll be lots of learning and opportunities to put your physics background to good use. You’ll work with different mentors across different areas within the technology and engineering group allowing you to develop as an attorney and find your niche.
You will sit with a qualified patent attorney and assist them with all parts of their work, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications and advising clients about various aspects of intellectual property law.
What’s in it for you?
- A friendly, inclusive and team-based working culture
- A hybrid office and home working approach
- A generous remuneration package
- Enhanced pension scheme / family leave
- Financial support for location changes – see placement scheme online
- 30 days annual leave (not inc. bank holidays) and additional study leave days
- Wide range of domestic and international clients with the chance to work abroad
- One paid day off per year for charitable endeavours and fundraising matching
- Firmwide discretionary bonus
- Multiple additional benefits such as discount vouchers, workplace ISA, electric car, bike to work and healthcare cash plan schemes
You’ll be well supported to pass your exams as well as develop your all-round skills as a patent attorney through our internal and external tutorials and regular input from experienced partners, backed up by feedback on your progress to inform and assist your development. And because we’re merit-based, your career progression is truly in your own hands.
We’re a leading European intellectual property firm with four UK offices and one in Munich. We’ve grown steadily and now have over 380 colleagues including 35 Trainees so expect to be part of a decent sized cohort of like-minded scientists!
About You
We look for individuals with a curious, enquiring mind. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing, are vital. General commercial awareness or experience is valuable, but no prior knowledge of patent law is required. The role is highly specialist so a strong academic background within this technical area is critical. This could be a degree in physics or perhaps mathematics but with strong evidence of relevant post-grad learning and experience – for example a physics or natural sciences PhD or a Masters coupled with solid commercial experience as an Engineer or Researcher. Please note that due to the level of expertise required, we are unable to progress applications that don’t meet these criteria.
Beyond academic excellence, we’re looking for people with curiosity, drive and ambition; people who thrive on being challenged, want to make an impact, and are excited by the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in science, business and intellectual property.
If the role sounds appealing and you could start your career journey with us in Bristol, Cambridge, London or Manchester we’d love to hear from you. We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome a broad diversity of talent to apply.
Your privacy: As part of our recruitment process, Mewburn Ellis collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants.
Trainee Patent Attorney – Physics in London employer: Mewburn Ellis LLP
Mewburn Ellis is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place To Work™ and awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal for sustainable business practices. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative and inclusive culture. Located in Bristol, our Head of IT role provides a unique chance to lead a dynamic team while shaping the technology roadmap of a forward-looking IP firm dedicated to innovation and quality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Patent Attorney – Physics in London
✨Join Local Law Societies
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✨Leverage University Resources
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✨Connect with Trainee Alumni
Reach out to past trainees from your network or alumni groups. They can offer invaluable advice on their experiences and might even point you to firms that are hiring. Plus, you never know when a friendly face could help your application stand out!
✨Submit Direct Applications through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Patent Attorney – Physics in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Acumen:Make sure your CV highlights your knowledge of legal principles and any relevant coursework. This is super important for a trainee role, so if you've got any practical experience like mooting competitions or internships, be sure to include those to show us what you've learned in practice!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Let us know why legal services excite you and detail your motivation for wanting to be a trainee with us at Mewburn Ellis LLP. Share any unique experiences or insights you've had that relate to our work — we love to see passion!
Demonstrate Your Research Skills:As part of a legal team, strong research skills are key. If you've conducted any legal research during your studies or previous roles, mention specific cases or legal documents you've worked with. Including these details can set you apart from other candidates applying for your trainee spot.
Tailor Your Documents to Us:When applying through our website, make sure you're tailoring your CV and cover letter specifically for the role at Mewburn Ellis LLP. Use our job posting as a guide to emphasize the skills and qualifications that align perfectly with the trainee position — it shows us you're keen and have done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mewburn Ellis LLP
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Get ready to showcase your understanding of key legal concepts and principles relevant to the field. Brush up on areas like contract law or torts, as you might encounter some scenario-based questions during your interview. It’s not just about memorising; be prepared to discuss how you'd apply these principles in real-world situations, which will highlight your analytical skills.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In legal interviews, your ability to conduct thorough research is essential. Be prepared to discuss how you approach case studies or legal precedents. You might also be asked about tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, so having some familiarity with these platforms can really set you apart.
✨Emphasise Your Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, companies like Mewburn Ellis LLP want to see your passion for the law and eagerness to learn. Bring up any relevant coursework, internships, or voluntary work during your studies. This shows that you're proactive and ready to embrace the challenges of the legal world.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect a few behavioural questions that probe your problem-solving and teamwork skills. Examples might relate to how you've handled conflict in a group project or dealt with tight deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly, making it easy for the interviewers to see your thought process.
