How do I become a patent attorney?

Experts in intellectual property – with technical know-how

Patent attorneys are experts in intellectual property. They advise and represent clients independently in all matters relating to patents, trademarks, and designs – drawing on solid technical and legal expertise.

The path to becoming a patent attorney

A prerequisite is a completed university degree in a scientific or technical field. This is followed by approximately three years of training in intellectual property law, consisting of three stages. In parallel, you will complete studies in general law.
Before starting the training, admission by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) is required. Full details can be found in the information leaflet on patent attorney training and examination. After successfully passing the patent attorney examination, you will hold the title Patent Assessor. This qualifies you to apply for admission to the Chamber of Patent Attorneys or to work in industry.

Practical training phase (min. 26 months)

in a patent law firm or in the patent department of a company

German Patent and Trade Mark Office (2 months)

Federal Patent Court (6 months)

Tasks of a patent attorney

The day-to-day work of a patent attorney is highly diverse. Patent attorneys regularly interact with inventors, heads of development, and company executives of all sizes. What all these companies have in common is a competitive edge through their innovations—an advantage that needs to be protected against competitors. This is exactly where patent attorneys provide support by developing appropriate IP strategies and preparing and filing the necessary applications for intellectual property rights. In the case of technical inventions, these may include patents or utility models, but also design or trademark applications, which likewise contribute to protecting intellectual property. Thanks to their dual technical and legal training, patent attorneys act as a bridge between law and technology. They are therefore at home in both worlds and, when necessary, mediate between them. In the context of enforcing and defending intellectual property rights, patent attorneys also represent their clients in court proceedings.

Why dompatent?

dompatent has been investing significant time and energy in training future patent attorneys for decades. Several partners at dompatent are actively involved in the training of European patent attorney candidates (for example, במסגרת the CEIPI courses) and German patent attorney candidates (in particular as tutors of the Association of Patent Attorney Candidates). All partners at dompatent completed their patent attorney training at our firm. New patent attorney candidates are specifically selected and trained with the prospect of continuing their careers at dompatent as patent attorneys after passing their exams, and eventually becoming partners. Take your opportunity and apply to join us. We look forward to getting to know you.

Alternative entry routes

For experienced patent paralegals
Those who have worked for at least ten years (eight years with the European Qualifying Examination) in a patent department or law firm after completing a technical or scientific degree may be admitted directly to the patent attorney examination—provided they have also completed additional legal studies.
For European patent attorneys
Patent attorneys from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland can be admitted in Germany if they can demonstrate their professional qualifications or successfully pass an aptitude test. The legal basis is the Act on the Activities of European Patent Attorneys in Germany (EuPAG).

Contact

Do you have any questions?

Do you have questions about job openings, the application process, or dompatent as an employer in general? Our HR team will be happy to assist you. Call us or send us a message.

+49 221 91652 0 bewerbung@dompatent.de Sanija Shekarpuri