Trade mark attorney
Trade mark attorneys advise clients about registering and protecting designs and trade marks.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- carry out searches to see if a proposed trade mark already exists
- advise on intellectual property issues like design and copyright
- draw up contracts
- deal with UK and overseas registration authorities
- negotiate in disputes and take action if the client's trade mark rights are breached
- provide support to solicitors and barristers if a case goes to court
- handle renewals of existing trade marks, transfer of ownership and licensing
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a court.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into senior management or partnership in a trade mark firm.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- 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
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- working towards this role
- applying directly
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 trade mark 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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
You may be able to work your way up from a trade mark administrator or paralegal role.
To do this, you'll need a good level of general education including GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
You'll also need around 5 years' experience before you can apply for professional training to qualify as a trade mark attorney.
You can apply for professional training with a firm to become a trade mark attorney, if you're a qualified solicitor or barrister.
Registration
- you will need to register with the Intellectual Property Regulation Board
Further information
You'll find more advice about training to become a trade mark attorney from The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys.
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