Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist qualified patent attorneys with drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
- Company: Leading European intellectual property firm with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Generous salary, 30 days leave, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Use your scientific background to make a real impact in the legal field.
- Qualifications: Strong academic background in biochemistry or biological sciences; no prior patent law knowledge needed.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth and a focus on wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 2000 - 3000 £ per month.
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. Reflecting the exciting technology spaces in which our clients operate, you will work closely with colleagues across our life sciences practice group and also with attorneys from our chemistry and engineering, technology and physics 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, 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 life sciences background to good use. Our unique placement scheme gives you the opportunity to work with different mentors and across different areas of life sciences 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. Essentially we provide you with all the tools you need to become a Trusted Advisor to clients, helping you use your scientific background in a legal context.
We look for individuals with a curious, enquiring mind. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing, are vital. General commercial awareness is valuable but no prior knowledge of patent law is required. A strong academic background in biochemistry or biological sciences with, for example, modules in immunology, cell biology, genomics, molecular biology or disease biology is essential. A Masters or PhD in relevant areas would also be advantageous. Having an open-minded personable approach to learning will serve you well too!
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, the impact is evident at every level. Indeed over 70% of our partners trained with us. The training programme underpins who we are and our forward-looking, ambitious approach. And as it's delivered in a structured and focused manner it means that everyone at Mewburn Ellis is able to develop their full potential as a high-level attorney.
We're a leading European intellectual property firm with four UK offices and one in Munich. We've grown steadily and now have over 360 colleagues including 45 Trainees so expect to be part of a decent sized cohort of like-minded scientists! In many ways our successful growth story is down to our training and our long-term commitment to the wellbeing of our people.
As part of this we have a variety of informal sporting and social events as well as running various charity initiatives.
- 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
- 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.
Trainee Patent Attorney employer: Mewburn Ellis LLP
Contact Detail:
Mewburn Ellis LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Patent Attorney
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meet-ups to connect with professionals in the patent law field. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and share your passion for life sciences and intellectual property.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm and its recent cases. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how our team operates and contributes to the field of patent law.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s drafting emails or discussing complex topics, being clear and concise is key. We want to see how you can convey your scientific knowledge in a legal context.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about our training programme and what we’re looking for in a Trainee Patent Attorney.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Patent Attorney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Background: Make sure to highlight your strong academic background in biochemistry or biological sciences. Mention any relevant modules you've studied, like immunology or molecular biology, as this will show us you're a great fit for the role.
Communicate Clearly and Confidently: Since excellent writing skills are vital for this position, take the time to craft a clear and concise application. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon to ensure we can easily understand your points.
Express Your Curiosity: We love candidates with a curious and enquiring mind! In your application, share examples of how you've pursued knowledge or tackled challenges in your studies or previous experiences. This will help us see your passion for learning.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team at Mewburn Ellis.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mewburn Ellis LLP
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your academic background, especially in biochemistry or biological sciences. Be ready to discuss how your knowledge can apply to patent law and innovations. This will show your potential employer that you’re not just a scientist but someone who can bridge the gap between science and law.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your inquisitive nature during the interview. Ask insightful questions about the firm’s approach to intellectual property and how they support their trainees. This reflects your eagerness to learn and grow, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are vital, practice articulating complex scientific concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to explain a scientific principle or invention, so being able to convey your thoughts clearly will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Embrace Teamwork
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with others. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve successfully worked in a team, especially in a scientific context. Mewburn Ellis values a collegial and supportive culture, so showing that you can thrive in a team environment will resonate well.