I find working at the interface between technology/natural sciences and law very exciting, and always have.

Patent attorneys need a technical degree, such as chemistry, and are then trained to become patent attorneys at a law firm or company. In my case, this dual interest was clear from an early stage: I was always very interested in chemistry at school. Nevertheless, after completing my A levels, I initially studied law and came across the profession of patent attorney during my studies. I immediately found the patent attorney’s role fascinating, as I find both legal and technical questions challenging. I therefore followed my law degree with a degree in chemistry, ultimately with the aim of becoming a patent attorney.

In 2012, I moved to Munich to join the Kador & Partner law firm for my training as a patent attorney. The firm specialises in chemistry, life sciences, pharmacy, biotechnology and related fields.

You can train to become both a German patent attorney and a European patent attorney. Both training programmes can take place in parallel. Training as a German patent attorney takes approximately three years and includes both working at the law firm and studying law at the FernUniversität in Hagen. Following the training at the law firm, you receive training at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the Federal Patent Court, and sit an examination at the end. Training as a European patent attorney also takes place at a law firm or company and likewise concludes with examinations. At the very beginning of this training, you work at the training firm as a “patent attorney trainee”. This is how you learn the necessary practical skills.

Based on my academic background, I focused on a career as a patent attorney from the very beginning of my chemistry degree.

However, when I began my law degree, which I completed before studying chemistry, I did not yet know which direction I would later take; nor had I originally planned to pursue two degrees.

As a partner, i.e. co-owner of a patent law firm, my work is broad-ranging. In addition to traditional patent attorney activities such as advising on patent and trade mark matters, drafting patent applications and handling contentious proceedings, I have a wide range of responsibilities.

I manage our Fulda office, which I established myself, and am responsible for various management activities within our firm.

I am also in contact with clients, advising them on an ongoing basis and – where possible – visiting them regularly. Due to our international clients, this also involves regular travel to destinations both within and outside Europe. In addition, I teach at a university and regularly give lectures and (web-based) seminars.

I don’t really have a typical working day. However, almost every day begins with going through my emails. I usually get up early and try to draft important legal documents in the early morning, as I need peace and quiet and my full concentration.

The morning is often filled with consultations and meetings. In the afternoons, I also try to keep time free for drafting legal documents, or I have further meetings.

I also travel regularly for this purpose.

Unforeseen events arise time and again: a client urgently seeking legal advice or colleagues approaching me with questions.

As a patent attorney, you usually work on cases alone; however, we have several partners and 35 employees in total, including 13 lawyers, so we can support one another as a team to ensure everything runs smoothly. Only by working hand in hand can we deliver excellent work.

My day-to-day work today has very little in common with my day-to-day work during my studies or doctorate. This is of course because I no longer work in a laboratory. My work is simply different. But I have retained the email writing.

My combination of law and chemistry studies prepared me for the actual profession of patent attorney. However, this combination is rather rare. Studying chemistry alone did not directly prepare me for a career as a patent attorney.

However, in addition to the specialist qualifications, my doctorate in particular taught me to work independently and organise myself, skills that are indispensable as a lawyer.

In particular, I learned then how to keep many projects running in parallel, which is also the case as a lawyer, as you often handle several cases at the same time and have to juggle them all, dealing with them with the appropriate care and prioritisation.

As a patent attorney, I particularly appreciate being able to discuss inventions with the inventors. It is simply enjoyable to exchange ideas with other people who are enthusiastic about technology and science.

I also very much enjoy providing training and advice, both to raise awareness of IP issues and to establish a foundation in the field of IP among participants.

As a partner in a firm, I am also an entrepreneur, and there are always unforeseen challenges to overcome—most recently, the coronavirus pandemic. You have to look after your employees and the business to see everyone safely through the crisis. I also take great pleasure in undertaking such management tasks and developing the firm further.

Career opportunities depend on whether you work in industry or at a firm.

At a law firm, there is the possibility of becoming a co-owner, i.e. a partner, over time. At a company, you can advance within your department and also develop in other ways.