Summary
We are looking for individuals with a background in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics/Theoretical Physics or Electrical Engineering to train with us as a patent attorney.
The role
We are looking for individuals who enjoy learning about cutting-edge research and who want to apply their scientific knowledge to work outside of academia. At Appleyard Lees, you will be able to put your degree to use from day one, as you’ll be working to protect the ground-breaking innovation of some of the world’s most well-known tech companies such as Samsung. The job is intellectually challenging, as you will work on brand new innovation before anyone else hears about it, but it is also rewarding. Many of our clients are developing exciting new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies or new bioinformatics inventions to diagnose diseases, so we are looking for individuals with a background in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics/Theoretical Physics or Electrical Engineering to train with us as a patent attorney.
You will need to be articulate and good at communicating, particularly in writing. Our work can sometimes be multi-disciplinary and collaborative and so you will need to work with attorneys in other disciplines. For example, some of our clients use AI to identify and develop new drugs, use mathematics/statistics to diagnose diseases or treatment efficacy, or use software to control medical robotic devices. So, you will need to have good people skills and be able to work in a team.
You will be trained by our Partners and Senior Associates, and from your first day you will be working on real work for our clients. You will be able to join meetings with inventors, watch our qualified attorneys when they participate in hearings/trials, and learn from our talented paralegals. As our clients file patent applications in the UK and Europe, you will gain real experience that is directly relevant to the professional exams you will undertake. Our trainees are given all the support they need to qualify as UK and European patent attorneys. We combine in-house exam-specific tutorials with external courses, to help our trainees to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to qualify. Trainees are also supervised on their day-to-day work by our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys.
About You
- Have a degree or PhD in Physics/Theoretical Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or similar.
- Preferably, your degree included modules focussed on Artificial Intelligence/machine learning, but this is not essential.
- Ideally, you will have completed the Foundation Certificate exams (or equivalent).
- Knowledge of and interest in any of the following areas would be advantageous: machine learning models, image recognition, object detection, speech recognition, natural language processing, and data mining.
- Good communicator both in writing and verbally.
What We Can Offer
Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm, with over fifty patent and trademark attorneys and litigators. Our offices are located in Halifax, Leeds, Manchester and Cambridge with 19 partners and 120+ staff.
We provide a full range of intellectual property (IP) services covering patents, trade marks, designs and copyright in the UK, Europe and worldwide. We use our technical and legal skills, and many years of experience, to identify and protect IP assets and to uncover and eliminate the risks posed by other people’s IP rights.
We pride ourselves on being small and friendly enough for you to get to know everyone – but big enough to offer you great career prospects. We also offer:
- A supportive and friendly place to work and learn
- Social outings
- Birthday voucher
- Charity events
- Agile working
- Healthcare cash plan
- Annual salary review
- Life assurance
Our clients include multinational corporations and universities, as well as SMEs. We have a well-earned reputation for handling complex technical subject matter and for giving exceptionally clear advice. We ensure that we understand our clients’ business objectives.
Our clients choose us because we offer the combination of technical knowledge, clarity and commerciality whilst taking the time to get to know them.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) has always been part of the core values of Appleyard Lees. This isn’t just about the partners, or how we do things at Appleyard Lees, this is about everyone. Appleyard Lees offers a career path within a structure that encourages development for everyone, and where individuals count.
We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.
We are a member of IP Inclusive and many of our people, including trainees, are actively involved in IP Inclusive’s support groups for women and the LGBT+ community. Many of our trainees also participate in outreach activities to raise awareness of the IP professions among young people. We also have a dedicated diversity and inclusion focus group that includes attorneys, trainees, and HR, which is tasked with looking at ways we can continue to improve diversity and inclusion.
