Trade mark attorney

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 law, science, engineering or languages may give you an advantage.

You'll start as a trainee with a private practice firm of trade mark attorneys, or a large company with an in-house intellectual property department, and 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

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

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 can 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.

You'll need:

• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to read English
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• carrying out searches to see if a proposed trade mark already exists
• advising on intellectual property issues like design and copyright
• drawing up contracts
• dealing with UK and overseas registration authorities
• negotiating in disputes, and taking action if the client's trade mark rights are broken
• providing back-up to solicitors and barristers if a case goes to court
• handling renewals of existing trade marks, transferring ownership and licensing

You could work in a court, in an office or at a client's business.