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Patent attorneys (also known as patent agents) secure and help to protect the granting of patents for their clients. Patents are legal rights that are granted to the inventors of novel technical processes and commodities, securing exclusive rights to their inventions for up to 20 years. 

They are responsible for:

• reading descriptions and discussing details of inventions with clients

• undertaking searches to establish that inventions are novel

• producing detailed legal descriptions of inventions

• submitting, defending and negotiating patent applications

• supervising and training junior staff (technical assistants)

• keeping up to date with intellectual property law

• providing associated legal advice

Career progression within private practices tends to be structured towards partnership. It is also possible to become self-employed, move into a managerial position in industry or become a patent examiner.

Qualifications and training required

You can only become a registered patent attorney if you have a good degree in a scientific, technical, mathematical or engineering subject. Employers seek evidence of good verbal and written communication skills.

Key skills for patent attorneys

• Meticulous attention to detail

• Independence

• Ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely

• Good communication skills

• Sound scientific and technical knowledge

• Good IT skills

• Analytical skills

Typical employers of patent attorneys

• Private practices

• Government departments

• Legal firms

• Major industrial organisations