HLK - Graduate Recruitment Brochure - Flipbook - Page 11
Keisha Michael - Trainee Patent Attorney,
Tech team
I joined HLK’s Tech team in 2020 after completing a PhD in Physics. I have always
enjoyed science and I was drawn to the variety of work and new challenges
presented by a career in IP. Training to be a patent attorney provides me with
an opportunity to look at the bigger picture in areas of growing technology.
A typical day for me involves responding to examination reports received from
the European Patent Office by countering objections an examiner may have
made to a patent application. I particularly enjoy the element of problem
solving associated with this work. On top of this, all the inventions I encounter
are different, which keeps things interesting. I find the work especially engaging
because it isn’t just technology that develops over time, the law does too, and
so the job itself is constantly evolving.
Having a background in science, I was initially apprehensive about the legal
aspect of the job and the idea of having to sit law exams. However, HLK is
a really supportive working environment. Despite starting the job during the
pandemic and working from home throughout my first year, I have always felt
welcomed, encouraged, and involved in the workplace. This was largely due to
the HLK academy. HLK academy is in-house training which takes place twice
a week during your first year of training, covering an introduction to IP law.
These sessions gave me the opportunity to chat with my cohort and to learn
from approachable, qualified attorneys within the firm. They also allowed me
to develop a good grounding in the legal basics, which led to me feeling more
confident carrying out my day-to-day work.
“Training to be a patent
attorney provides me with
an opportunity to look at
the bigger picture in areas
of growing technology.”