Dehns is one of the largest firms of Trade Mark and Patent Attorneys in Europe. We recruit graduates with degrees from many different academic disciplines to train with us for qualification as Trade Mark Attorneys.
What is a Trade Mark?
A Trade Mark is an essential component of any business. It is the means by which a business identifies its products or services to its customers and distinguishes its products or services from those of its competitors. Trade Marks can take many different forms such as words, letters, numbers, colours, sounds, smells or shapes. A good trade mark is a very valuable business asset.
What does a Trade Mark Attorney do?
Trade Mark Attorneys, also called Trade Mark Agents, are specialist legal advisers who advise their clients on a wide range of trade mark-related issues. A Trade Mark Attorney's work includes advising and assisting clients in relation to the selection and protection of new Trade Marks, including advising on suitable searching and filing strategies, the registration process and applicable laws, and best practice on use of a Trade Mark. A Trade Mark Attorney will also provide advice and assistance in relation to the enforcement, maintenance and renewal of registered trade marks, portfolio management and transactions involving trade marks, such as assignments and licences. A vital aspect of your job will involve dealing with conflicts or potential conflicts between your client's Trade Mark and the rights of third parties. You will be expected to seek pragmatic and commercial resolutions of such conflicts, and will frequently be involved in the negotiation and drafting of letters of consent, co-existence agreements, formal letters of undertaking, and other similar agreements.
A Trade Mark Attorney's work is not limited to the UK. Clients require Trade Marks to be protected in many different countries throughout the world, and Trade Mark Attorneys in the UK are particularly involved in advising clients on the European Community Trade Mark and International (Madrid) systems. In addition to having contact with clients, a Trade Mark Attorney will act on their clients' behalf before the registration authorities in the UK and European Union, and can expect to have regular contact with overseas trade mark attorneys. In litigious situations, a Trade Mark Attorney can work as part of a team with solicitors and barristers.
What skills do I need?
At Dehns, we consider it important for a Trade Mark Attorney to have initiative and to be good at communicating - whether it be in person, over the telephone or in writing. We are particularly interested in candidates with linguistic skills. We look for graduates with strong analytical skills, who have a good attention to detail and are highly organised and motivated. No prior legal qualifications are required, although law graduates may be exempt from some of the foundation level professional exams required in order to qualify as a Trade Mark Attorney. We recruit graduates with first or upper second class honours degrees from many different academic disciplines.
How will I be trained?
On joining the firm, a new trainee works under the direct supervision of one or more of our qualified Trade Mark Attorneys and learns the relevant law and practice. In addition to this in-house training, there is a formal qualification system which has three components - a modular law course provided by Queen Mary, University of London, a modular practice course provided by Nottingham Law School, and a minimum experience requirement. You will be given the necessary time off work to attend these courses.
Why Dehns?
- We are one of the largest firms of Trade Mark and Patent Attorneys in Europe, with over 70 professional staff and offices in London, Brighton, Oxford and Munich. Our size allows us to provide you with a variety of opportunities within one single organisation.
- Our Trade Mark Attorneys handle work for a large number of clients in many different fields, which ensures that the working opportunities are varied and interesting.
- We have a strong reputation for high quality training and an excellent record of success in the qualifying examinations.
- The firm has a friendly and sociable atmosphere which we hope provides an environment in which trainees can succeed to qualification and beyond.
Current vacancies
We generally expect to recruit graduates each year to start training in our London or Brighton offices. If you would like to apply for a job as a trainee with Dehns, please write to Ms. Jane Jolly, at our London address giving details of your interest and enclosing your current C.V. Please also indicate your preferred office location and any locations that would be unacceptable to you.
