Joanna Westwood

Job title:

Patent Attorney for Eric Potter Clarkson LLP.

What are your academic qualifications?

I have A-levels in Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. I then studied undergraduate and postgraduate chemistry degrees at the University of Exeter.

What are your main duties of work?

A patent is a monopoly right which protects an invention for up to 20 years. During this time the patent holder can prevent others from using that idea. As a result, having a patent for an invention can be of huge commercial importance as it offers the possibility of preventing competitors from selling products using the patent holder's idea. For instance, a patent protecting a new drug would prevent anyone else from selling that drug while the patent was in force. Being the only company who can sell the drug could be incredibly profitable.

Patent attorneys specialise in the protection of inventions. Most patent attorneys work in ‘private practice’ in a similar way to which solicitors operate. However, some attorneys will be employed by large companies working in a specialist ‘in house’ patent department.

The job of either type of attorney involves meeting with inventors (whether these are researchers within the company or external clients), discussing their ideas with them, providing advice and dealing with the legalities of obtaining the protection on their behalf. This includes writing patent specifications which are detailed technical descriptions of an invention.

Specialist trademark attorneys also exist dealing principally with obtaining trademarks. It is also possible to ‘dual qualify’ as both a patent and trademark attorney although this is becoming less common.

What are your favourite aspects of the job?

The job is incredibly varied, especially in private practice and because of this, could never ever become boring. There is no such thing as a typical day, different problems and challenges arise constantly. It is not uncommon to spend the morning discussing a new idea with a client, then fly to Munich in the afternoon for discussions with the European Patent Office regarding the merits of an invention in a totally different area of technology.

In addition, because the patent laws are constantly changing, the opportunity is there to continue learning throughout your career. I particularly enjoy working with clients who know little about the patenting system, this is because I can do the most to help this type of client as without my advice they wouldn't be able to effectively protect their idea. Without this protection someone could copy the idea and my client would be unable to stop them.

What kind of salary can a graduate expect to earn in this job?

Starting salary is typically between £17,000 and £20,000 per year. Salary upon qualification (three to five years after entry to the profession) is typically between £45,000 and £55,000 per year.

How has your degree helped you?

My degree has allowed me to become a patent attorney, without a science degree I would not have been employed in this area. The skills I gained during my degree have proved invaluable. Science degrees leave you with a sound technical knowledge but more importantly, a whole host of transferable skills. For example, a science degree teaches you communication both in the written form and orally through regular presentations either formally or in group discussions. I use these skills in the written preparation of patent specifications, which require a very precise form of writing as well as in routine communications with my clients. Ensuring assignments get done and exams are studied for, requires a high level of self motivation and organisation - these are skills that I use every day in meeting deadlines and ensuring that tasks are done. Finally, a science degree teaches you how to deal with complex tasks and how to solve complex problems. This is useful in my work as clients often come to you with highly complex problems. In order to provide appropriate advice it may be necessary to break the problem down and consider each aspect individually.

Any other information:

Training is a mixture of on the job training and specialist revision courses. In order to work as a patent attorney in the UK it is desirable to qualify as both a European Patent Attorney and a British Patent Attorney. This involves sitting a series of challenging exams. Candidates are not usually given revision leave to prepare for exams and because of this a large amount of dedication is required. Some companies send trainees on university based intensive courses, which exempt them from some of the exams.