Patent Attorney - Engineering

Patent Attorney - Engineering
Bristol, London, Sheffield or Warwick

About Us

Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK, Paris, and Munich. Established 140 years ago, we remain as passionate as ever about making intellectual property work to our clients’ best advantage. Today, our clients include many renowned, innovative organisations from across Europe, North America, and Asia.

We believe that our patent and trade mark attorneys, support, and operations staff have a breadth of expertise and a depth of specialist sector knowledge that is second to none.

Our purpose is building trusting relationships, and our vision is to be an independent, responsible, sustainably profitable, and globally focused firm.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Advanced Engineering group supporting a diverse range of highly innovative engineering businesses in the UK and overseas. This role is focused principally on supporting some of the UK’s most prestigious engineering businesses in sectors including off-highway vehicles, automotive, and building products with patent drafting, UK, European and international patent prosecution and competitor monitoring. This will involve direct interaction with in-house counsel and engineers.

This is a full-time, permanent position based in one of our UK locations: Bristol, London, Sheffield or Warwick.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Drafting specifications and responding to office actions for complex inventions efficiently and to a high standard.
  
• Advising clients on securing appropriate IP protection.
  
• Assisting with Oral Proceedings at the European Patent Office.
  
• Corresponding with clients, Patent Offices and overseas Attorneys.
  
• Analysing prior art and working directly with clients to develop creative and persuasive arguments against patent office objections.
  
• Thoroughly analysing and amending existing patent specifications where necessary to address patent office objections to patent applications.
  
• Researching and advising on the status, scope and validity of third-party intellectual property rights.
  
• Engaging in business development activities including writing articles and, if qualified, supporting junior fee earners in their business development practice.
  
• Developing relationships with our current clients and building a network of contacts, with a view to converting contacts to clients and bringing in new business.
  
  About You
  
  To join us in this position, we require:
  
  
• A part-qualified/qualified UK and European Patent Attorney.
  
• A degree in mechanical engineering or similar discipline and comfortable handling mechanical, electromechanical and control system-related inventions. The ability to communicate effectively about technical concepts with the research and development teams of our clients.
  
• Skilled in analysing and identifying the novel features and commercial potential of an invention with demonstrable experience in drafting patent specifications and responses to office actions for prosecution.
  
• Impeccable written English, attention to detail and first-rate communication skills with the ability to express ideas clearly and accurately.
  
• A track record of interacting effectively with staff and clients at all levels and a team player with a proactive approach. A track record of building rapport with clients and developing new business.
  
• The ability to prioritise workload, manage high volumes of work and meet deadlines.
  
  Your Rewards
  
  
• Competitive salary
  
• Benefits such as a healthcare cash plan and additional holiday purchase scheme
  
• Flexible working options
  
• Enhanced Parental Leave options
  
• Positive and welcoming work environment
  
  Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early applications are encouraged.
  
  We foster a supportive and inclusive culture where employees are encouraged to broaden their knowledge, challenge themselves and share their ideas.
  
  If you think you have the skills to succeed, we would love to hear from you