IP Commercial Transactions
Careers
Technology and innovation are integral to the success of many of our clients, and the ability to 'speak the client's language' on a technical level is a valuable skill for an intellectual property adviser. A number of the lawyers and attorneys in our intellectual property practice have undergraduate and postgraduate technical qualifications, as well as legal qualifications.
Freehills has many opportunities for young lawyers to develop a career in intellectual property, working with a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing and consumer goods. Again the ability to 'speak the client's language' is a priority and there are opportunities to work with clients on secondment to learn about the client's business.
If you are interested in working in an area where both technical and legal knowledge is applied to analysing complex legal issues, a career in intellectual property may be your future. Below are examples from our solicitors of how technical and legal issues come into play when they are advising clients.
Amalia, senior associate, Sydney
'My science degree included second year studies in genetics and a double major in chemistry. This came in handy when acting for a drug manufacturer interested in licensing technology from the CSIRO in relation to gene therapy for prostate cancer. It gave me a good understanding of the technology involved and how it would be used. Understanding which of the scientific issues was really important to my client helped me in the licensing negotiations to get what my client needed in order to progress with research and development of the technology into a product that may in the future have significant commercial potential.'
Craig, senior associate, Melbourne
'I have a chemical engineering degree as well as my law degree. The knowledge gained in that degree has helped me to understand the background technology in matters that I have worked on, including a current patent infringement case involving polymer technology. I find that having a technical degree also makes approaching matters involving unrelated technology less daunting and the mix of technical and legal issues certainly makes for an interesting area of practice.'
Alicia, solicitor, Sydney
'An ability to connect with clients – to understand their business, the environment in which they operate and their commercial drivers are key tools in a lawyer’s toolbox. I’ve found my practical experience in both the Australian and overseas legal markets has provided me with a depth of understanding across a range of industries; a greater ability to match client expectation; and to provide clients with the commercial and legal advice they need to operate in an increasingly competitive and international marketplace.
I started out as a junior lawyer in general litigation before practising in IP litigation in the UK and Australia. Starting out in general litigation provided great exposure to a diverse range of commercial and personal disputes, involving different industries, markets and personalities. The litigation and people management skills learnt during that time have really assisted in my current IP practice, and in helping clients work through complex IP litigation, involving difficult technical, legal and commercial issues. IP is an exciting and dynamic area of legal practice – you get to work with innovative and inventive clients who are passionate about their technology and IP rights – plus, the range of IP rights, from patents, trade marks and designs to copyright and confidential information, ensures challenging, and most importantly, fun work!’
David, senior associate, Melbourne
‘Having an opportunity to contribute to cases involving issues as diverse as copyright in computer software, patent rights in dental treatments and pharmaceuticals, trade mark infringement of a luxury brand, and breach of confidence involving customer lists, ensures that my work is never boring. I enjoy learning about the various technologies and industries to which my matters relate, and seeking to achieve effective and innovative solutions for my clients.’
Technology and innovation are integral to the success of many of our clients, and the ability to 'speak the client's language' on a technical level is a valuable skill for an intellectual property adviser. A number of the lawyers and attorneys in our intellectual property practice have undergraduate and postgraduate technical qualifications, as well as legal qualifications.
Freehills has many opportunities for young lawyers to develop a career in intellectual property, working with a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing and consumer goods. Again the ability to 'speak the client's language' is a priority and there are opportunities to work with clients on secondment to learn about the client's business.
If you are interested in working in an area where both technical and legal knowledge is applied to analysing complex legal issues, a career in intellectual property may be your future. Below are examples from our solicitors of how technical and legal issues come into play when they are advising clients.
Amalia, senior associate, Sydney
'My science degree included second year studies in genetics and a double major in chemistry. This came in handy when acting for a drug manufacturer interested in licensing technology from the CSIRO in relation to gene therapy for prostate cancer. It gave me a good understanding of the technology involved and how it would be used. Understanding which of the scientific issues was really important to my client helped me in the licensing negotiations to get what my client needed in order to progress with research and development of the technology into a product that may in the future have significant commercial potential.'
Craig, senior associate, Melbourne
'I have a chemical engineering degree as well as my law degree. The knowledge gained in that degree has helped me to understand the background technology in matters that I have worked on, including a current patent infringement case involving polymer technology. I find that having a technical degree also makes approaching matters involving unrelated technology less daunting and the mix of technical and legal issues certainly makes for an interesting area of practice.'
Alicia, solicitor, Sydney
'An ability to connect with clients – to understand their business, the environment in which they operate and their commercial drivers are key tools in a lawyer’s toolbox. I’ve found my practical experience in both the Australian and overseas legal markets has provided me with a depth of understanding across a range of industries; a greater ability to match client expectation; and to provide clients with the commercial and legal advice they need to operate in an increasingly competitive and international marketplace.
I started out as a junior lawyer in general litigation before practising in IP litigation in the UK and Australia. Starting out in general litigation provided great exposure to a diverse range of commercial and personal disputes, involving different industries, markets and personalities. The litigation and people management skills learnt during that time have really assisted in my current IP practice, and in helping clients work through complex IP litigation, involving difficult technical, legal and commercial issues. IP is an exciting and dynamic area of legal practice – you get to work with innovative and inventive clients who are passionate about their technology and IP rights – plus, the range of IP rights, from patents, trade marks and designs to copyright and confidential information, ensures challenging, and most importantly, fun work!’
David, senior associate, Melbourne
‘Having an opportunity to contribute to cases involving issues as diverse as copyright in computer software, patent rights in dental treatments and pharmaceuticals, trade mark infringement of a luxury brand, and breach of confidence involving customer lists, ensures that my work is never boring. I enjoy learning about the various technologies and industries to which my matters relate, and seeking to achieve effective and innovative solutions for my clients.’