Hi all,
Not sure if this is the correct space to seek advice on this issue but it was the best I could find at the moment.
I am a Patent Attorney of 10 years experience. I have developed an interest in broader legal practice, i.e. as part of a full law firm rather than as part of a Patents/Trade Marks firm but I have no idea as to how to go about making the move.
I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts on Patent Attorneys making career moves into full service law firms or how they may even go about making the move aside from starting again as a trainee solicitor, taking a massive hit in pay etc etc.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
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Do you have a science / tech background?
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If I were you I'd go in-house into an IP team specifically telling them you'd like to broaden your experience into other areas.
Large pharma would offer these kinds of opportunities (for example)
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Of course he’s got a science background, he’s a patent attorney.
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Are you able to talk geek to humans?
yes, go pp
no, go in house
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Are PA firms as aunty as law firms? Genuine question.
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Thanks for all of your input. Some good ideas here.
In answer to your questions:
Talking geek to humans is difficult but I can do it.
PA firms are probably not as aunty as law firms but many Patent Attorneys do require a slap.
I do have a technical background. My first degree is in Maths and my Ph.D. is in Electronic Engineering.
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Ok perhaps I can help. I’m a tm attorney in pp in a law firm and have worked alongside PAs in the same boat. Worked in large law firms as well as specialist tm/pat firms.
there are certainly a number of firms looking for PAs. Depends what you want to do. If you want to do lit then look to the law firms doing those cases via Bailii and approach directly as they will certainly need PAs.
if you want to keep doing normal PA work (largely speaking) then specialist recruiters may be the way forward. Again, the firms that are looking for them are pretty clear. You might as well approach directly tbh, as they are sure to appreciate the saving of about 40k.
If you have a portable client base then it won’t be a problem whatever and there may even be some other options for you that let you keep more of your fees... If you want a chat sometime then leave a message and I’m happy to ping a message to an anonymous email
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Short person.. are you in London or the regions.. that may affect options.
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I've met corporate law types who had an engineering background. Worth considering.
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Plenty of tax lawyers started in maths
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Thank you FromtheAshes for your offer to chat. I need to think a little more. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am in the regions but willing to commute for the right opportunity.
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Short Person
Being in the regions shortens the options. If you are commutable to London there are a wide variety of law firms. Outside London, as a patent attorney I'd say it is far less.
So do you want to be doing a broader range of non con, or contentious?
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isnt cambridge an absolute hub for patent lawyers?
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Roger
yes, but not of law firms wanting patent attorneys
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Have a look at Taylor Vinters in Cambridge - at least one person there who has done this and they are expanding.
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