Life as a Trainee Patent Attorney means using your academic background in a stimulating and varied way. Working on innovations and inventions at the forefront of your scientific field. At Mewburn Ellis we’re collegial, supportive and progressive. With an industry-leading training programme and a placement scheme that keeps learning fresh and insightful we ensure that you’re set up to develop quickly and learn about the profession from a variety of partners from day one.

Trained for Excellence is one of our key values that permeates our firm. Our training programme underpins who we are and our forward-looking, ambitious approach.

AI and Machine Learning at Mewburn Ellis

Exciting developments in AI and Machine Learning are rapidly driving disruptive innovation in all fields of technology. As these developments continue to transform our daily lives, it’s never been a more exciting time to be at the forefront of this technology. At Mewburn Ellis we are part of this change, and we advise and help our clients use intellectual property rights to nurture and protect their innovations, ideas and inventions and deliver them to market.

The accelerating development seen in these fields involving big data, machine learning, deep learning inventions, neural networks, AI hardware and cybersecurity are challenging the legal limitations surrounding their patentability. This often means we are involved in pioneering legal work at the fringes of what is patentable. Join a team recognised for our deep expertise and you could work in these fields with a range of clients from well-known companies through to new start-ups and innovation leading universities such as Cambridge and Imperial. Find out more about our diverse portfolio, the work we do here, see our film here.

“The technology and legal framework surrounding machine learning changes at such a rapid pace making working in this field both uniquely interesting, challenging, and exciting. Each day in the office is never the same as I spend time getting to grips with the latest improvements in AI and their application.” - Rebecca, Attorney

The role

You will work closely with colleagues across our physics, technology and engineering group but also with attorneys from our life sciences and chemistry practice groups, as well as our solicitors and trade mark team. We take a holistic approach to IP and that will be a theme throughout your training and beyond.

Our training programme is varied and sometimes challenging but always rewarding. You will be invested in to grow personally and professionally. There’ll be lots of learning and opportunities to put your AI and machine learning background to good use. And you’ll work with different mentors across different areas within the technology and engineering group allowing you to develop as an attorney and find your niche.

You will sit with a qualified patent attorney and assist them with all parts of their work, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications and advising clients about various aspects of intellectual property law.

What’s in it for you?

• A friendly, inclusive and team-based working culture
• A hybrid office and home working approach
• A generous remuneration package
• Enhanced pension scheme / family leave
• Financial support for location changes - see placement scheme here
• 30 days annual leave (not inc. bank holidays) and additional study leave days
• Wide range of domestic and international clients with the chance to work abroad
• One paid day off per year for charitable endeavours and fundraising matching
• Firmwide discretionary bonus
• Multiple additional benefits such as discount vouchers, workplace ISA, electric car, bike to work and healthcare cash plan schemes

You’ll be well supported to pass your exams as well as develop your all-round skills as a patent attorney through our internal and external tutorials and regular input from experienced partners, backed up by feedback on your progress to inform and assist your development. And because we’re merit-based, your career progression is truly in your own hands.

We’re a leading European intellectual property firm with four UK offices and one in Munich. We’ve grown steadily and now have over 380 colleagues including 35 Trainees so expect to be part of a decent sized cohort of like-minded scientists!

About You

We look for individuals with a curious, enquiring mind. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing, are vital. General commercial awareness is valuable but no prior knowledge of patent law is required.

The role is highly specialist so a strong academic background within this technical area is critical. This could be a degree in core AI technologies or a more general degree (e.g., computer science, mathematics, or physics) but with strong evidence of applicable post-grad learning – perhaps a Masters in AI or Machine Learning coupled with solid industry experience or a specialist PhD in a relevant field. Please note that due to the level of expertise required, we are unable to progress applications that don’t meet these criteria.

Beyond academic excellence, we're looking for people with curiosity, drive and ambition; people who thrive on being challenged, want to make an impact, and are excited by the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in science, business and intellectual property.

If the role sounds appealing and you could start your career journey with us in Bristol, Cambridge, London or Manchester we’d love to hear from you.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome a broad diversity of talent to apply.

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