Trade Mark Attorney

Job Description:

Trade mark attorneys advise clients about registering and protecting designs and trade marks.

Job Category:
Legal

What you will do:

In this role you could:

  • carry out searches to see if a proposed trademark already exists
  • advise on intellectual property issues like design and copyright
  • draw up contracts
  • deal with your countries and overseas registration authorities
  • negotiate in disputes and take action if the client’s trademark rights are breached
  • provide support to solicitors and barristers if a case goes to court
  • handle renewals of existing trademarks, transfer of ownership and licensing

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

  • persuading skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • organisational skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University
You’ll usually need an upper second-class degree or higher, or postgraduate qualification, to apply for a training place with a company.

Most subjects are acceptable, though you may have an advantage with:

  • law
  • science
  • engineering
  • languages

After university, you would start as a trainee with a private practice of trademark attorneys, or a large company with an in-house intellectual property department. You would study for professional exams. You’ll also need 2 years’ work experience to qualify.

Work
You may be able to work your way up from a trademark administrator or paralegal role.

To do this, you’ll need a good level of general education including subjects such as English and maths.

You’ll also need around 5 years’ experience before you can apply for professional training to qualify as a trademark attorney.

Direct Application
You can apply for professional training with a firm to become a trademark attorney, if you’re a qualified solicitor or barrister.

Working Hours and Environment:

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

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could move into senior management or partnership in a trade mark firm.