The training process both for Patents and Trade Marks is a long and demanding one; even the best usually take five years or more to gain full qualification. This is not as bad as it sounds, however: we give trainees real responsibility early on, and you should be making a significant contribution to client work within the year. Once you have completed your foundation examinations you are likely to be appointed an Associate.

Qualification as a Chartered Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Registered Trade Mark Attorney or as a Community Trade Mark Attorney involves passing several sets of examinations. Withers and Rogers provides a comprehensive package of support for trainees sitting exams.

As a trainee you will work mainly for one qualified Attorney who will oversee your training, although you can expect to receive work on a regular basis from other Attorneys. This will enable you to gain experience from a number of people.

We will pay for you to attend courses and allow time and expenses for you to attend the lectures and tutorials which are organised by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys. In addition to this we have our own in-house tutorial systems providing tutorials on all examination papers in the months preceding professional examinations.

We do not have a strict demarcation between patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys as in some firms. If you are a patent trainee you will be encouraged to do some trade mark work as well; if you wish to achieve dual-qualification we will support you through the trade mark examinations. Equally, if you are a trade mark trainee with a science or engineering degree, there will be the opportunity to do patent work. We do, however, advise that you that dual qualification is unusual these days, and in any event you should concentrate on achieving qualified status in one discipline first.

Each qualified attorney in Withers & Rogers devotes considerable time to training and this is the best way for you to develop the skills you will need to pass the professional examinations and also for you to absorb the culture and working practices that have contributed to our success as a firm.