Alex's Story

Alex joined the firm in 2013, shortly after graduating from Oxford University with a First Class MEng degree in Materials Science. His final year was spent in research, developing the synthesis of graphene for transparent conducting film applications. Alex qualified as a UK and European Patent Attorney in 2018. He became an Associate of the firm in 2019.

What first attracted you to a career at Dehns?

Dehns is a top tier firm with excellent training and progression prospects, but still retains a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This made it a very attractive environment in which to begin a career as a patent attorney.

What do you like about working in Brighton?

Brighton combines all the attractions of a big city with a compact size and a unique and
creative outlook. It is a really fun place to live, with plenty going on and lots of sports
and social opportunities outside work. Also, you can still get to London for nights out
or weekends with friends in under an hour.

What does a typical working week look like?

Primarily, the week will include reviewing and preparing foreign patent applications
for filing in Europe and the UK, and reviewing patent search reports and (after
getting to grips with the technology concerned) preparing arguments and amendments
in response to these reports. These filings and responses will tend to cover a variety of
technologies. In addition, there is contentious work, such as oppositions, and direct
drafting of new applications that will be interspersed with the filing and responses, but
on a less regular basis than each week.

Give us an idea of the range of clients you work with and the variety of technologies?

My primary client is a large engineering corporation that covers technologies
including elevators and escalators, building and refrigeration systems and gas turbine
engines and aircraft systems. Although my work tends to focus on the gas turbine
engine and aircraft sides, I have also had exposure to the other technologies on offer.
Other technology areas I work in (from other clients) include: Paper products, absorbent articles, medical devices, packaging, oil and gas technologies, rocket and missile propulsion.