Job Description

Trainee Patent Attorney – Engineering & Tech

Permanent, Full Time

On-site (London)/Hybrid Working

Are you looking for a career that allows you to apply the technical knowledge gained from your engineering degree in a legal and commercial environment? Do you have an inquisitive mind, a flair for writing and a love of problem solving?

If so, a career in intellectual property law may be for you. 

Why Carpmaels & Ransford?

We are a leading European intellectual property law firm. Through our passionate and award-winning team of life scientists, engineers and regulatory experts, we advise some of the world’s leading healthcare companies.

We were awarded Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year at the 2023 Managing IP EMEA Awards and were also awarded Patent Contentious Firm of the Year and Impact Case of the Year at the 2022 Awards. We are consistently ranked as a top-tier firm by industry directories.

As a firm, we’re passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Diversity of thought is vital to our business; it’s how we approach challenges differently and offer our clients creative and original solutions. Through our work with organisations such as IP Inclusive, Stonewall and Business in the Community via the Race at Work Charter, we are putting the right steps in place to make sure that all our people feel supported and empowered to be themselves. Further information on our commitment to diversity and inclusion is available on our .

What you'll be doing

Each year, we recruit a number of exceptional STEM graduates, supporting them through to qualification as a UK and European patent attorney. As a new trainee, you’ll join a practice group relevant to your subject of study. Opportunities exist within our Chemistry, Biotechnology and Engineering & Tech practice groups.

As a trainee in our Engineering & Tech practice group, you will have the opportunity to qualify as a UK and European patent attorney. The team brings together experts from a wide range of fields, representing some of the world’s leading companies. Their expertise spans a variety of engineering and tech sectors, ranging from surgical devices to lasers, from contact lenses to energy technologies, and from drones to drug delivery systems.

The team is regularly called upon to take on large due diligence projects for new technologies or acquisitions, when commercially relevant advice is sought on IP risks and opportunities. Many of the team have extensive experience of patenting computer software and related issues, and they are regularly asked to take over demanding cases that are critical to clients’ global patent strategies.

This is a fantastic opportunity put your degree to good use in a rewarding and intellectually stimulating profession. With a renowned training programme, we offer exceptional support for obtaining UK and EQE qualifications and beyond.

Candidates need to possess, or be working towards, a strong first degree (minimum master's degree level and 2:1 degree class or equivalent) or a three-year bachelor's degree plus further study (including PhDs) in the following areas:

Electronics Electrical engineering General engineering (with a substantial electrical or electronics focus) Computer science Software engineering Artificial intelligence Physics (with an electrical or electronics leaning or special interest)

Please note that we are not currently seeking applications from individuals with mechanical or aeronautical engineering backgrounds.

Further information on degree requirements can be found on our . Your degree will be complemented by strong A Levels. Our typical minimum requirements are three at grade A or equivalent, including two STEM subjects.

In addition to your technical skills, you will have an excellent command of both written and spoken English. You enjoy analysing and conceptualising complex matters and have a passion and aptitude for problem solving. With strong time management and organisation skills, you are a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.