Intellectual Property UK Job Market Report
It has been quite some time since I’ve put together an IP job market report, so I thought I had better outline exactly what it is. Well, it’s an entirely anecdotal view on the current opportunities within the IP sector from our experience of it. We do act for most patent and trade mark firms in the UK as well as an assortment of corporate clients and law firms so hopefully this article will give you a sense for what might be going on and how that could influence your next steps.
Electronics/physics/computer science patent attorneys are difficult to find, which means if you are one, opportunities abound….
Yes, pretty much every firm in the UK is recruiting in this technical area, so my advice would be even if you have only a modicum of dissatisfaction with your current firm moving is highly likely to improve the situation, largely due to the overwhelming range of available options and therefore choice. You are very likely to get a salary bump too. Don’t use more than one recruiter, it will lead to duplication and chaos without any discernible benefit. Be very specific about what you want, make sure that the recruiter you work with understands this and be sure your CV doesn’t end up anywhere you don’t expect.
Engineering is pretty busy too…
It’s not quite as busy as electronics but there are some really exciting options, particularly if you are looking for a position outside of London. (Side note: regional positions for patent attorneys pay the same as London, so there is highly likely to be a net financial benefit even if you moved for the same salary, although you would likely achieve an increase). Firms will offer a relocation allowance and career advancement can often be easier to achieve outside London where there is less competition from peers.
Biotechnology and chemistry are slowly getting there…
It has not been particularly busy in these technical areas but it’s certainly busier than it has been. There are vacancies in chemistry in London and the north at part qualified level as well as firms being more open to Partner level hires (such as this one in the Northwest).
Moving as a Partner is easier than ever before although it’s still not plain sailing.
Firms are much more open than they have been at any time in the last ten years to considering hiring attorneys directly into the partnership. If you do feel trapped by your current circumstances an exit is certainly possible. From our point of view a very softly-softly approach works best and we will work with you to find a match without telling the world you are looking to move. We have had quite a few recent successes of attorneys joining firms as a salaried partner and also some cases of an equity offer. We can also advise on the best way to extricate yourself from your firm and give our thoughts on the terms of your contract.
Trade marks remains an unusual beast.
Trade mark attorney recruitment is never busy and it’s never not busy. Positions come and go but rarely at the same time. We are recruiting a couple of amazing associate positions in Manchester and in London at the moment as well as a Partner level hire in London.
If you want to move to the UK, now might just be the time.
Firms are much more open to visa sponsorship, particularly in the areas of engineering and electronics/physics. We’re particularly looking for people who are newly or recently qualified and prepared to cross qualify.
And finally…
We don’t only recruit in the UK, if you are a firm struggling to find intellectual property staff, either fee earners or senior operations, perhaps our approach can find some stones still left unturned.
For a full list of what we’re recruiting for have a look at www.fellowsandassociates.com/jobs