Graduate Programme – FAQ
What does a patent attorney do?
To whom is the graduate programme directed?
How is the graduate programme structured?
What happens after the graduate programme?
What does a patent attorney do?
AWA’s patent attorneys have the same passion, openness and courage for in-depth analysis as they do for getting out from behind the desk to manage client contacts and win new sales, locally and worldwide.
Working as a patent attorney means an endless variation of assignments. Since we at AWA work with technical inventions, each assignment per definition relates to new technology. New ideas and never-before-seen innovations cross our desks every day.
A patent application is basically a text describing new technology. So if you want to work as a patent attorney, you must also master the art of writing – creating clear, concise descriptions while also giving your client the benefits of the broadest possible protection for the invention. Another vital part of a patent attorney’s role is reporting events in a patent application case to the client in a concrete and lucid way, as well as arguing with various patent authorities around the world regarding the inventiveness of the invention.
As a patent attorney, you must always keep your client’s business benefits in mind when choosing which way to take in a specific case, whilst you also have to consider the fixed regulations and laws in the world of Intellectual Property. This is an exciting challenge for you who would like to work in the borderland between technology, law and business.
To whom is the graduate programme directed?
The graduate programme is directed towards candidates with a Master of Science – first and foremost within the fields of electrical engineering, computer technology, biotechnology, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, technical physics and industrial economics.
How is the graduate programme structured?
During your time in the graduate programme, you will work both on your own and in a group, alternating theory with practice. Right from the start, you’ll be stationed in your future home office: Malmö, Lund, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Växjö, Linköping, Jönköping, Uppsala or Östersund (all in Sweden), or Copenhagen in Denmark. The need for new patent attorneys at the various offices varies from year to year.
The theoretical part of the programme includes long, continuous study periods. The education part takes place mainly in Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Copenhagen. This provides an introduction to the basic principles of intellectual property rights, with more in-depth instruction in IP law. You will also be given training in how to write patent applications and translate patent documentation.
In-house recourse carry out most of the instruction, and the aim is to enable our new patent attorneys to get to know as many people as possible from the various AWA offices.
In addition to providing the strategic and tactical knowledge required for success as a patent attorney, the programme also includes training in the consultant’s role and instruction in business economics and management.
What happens after the graduate programme?
After successfully completing the graduate programme, you will have a full-time position as a patent attorney in one of our offices in Sweden or Denmark.
During your first years with us, we’ll give you the opportunity to develop your skills to include all aspects of IP with regard to patents, trademarks, registered designs and copyright. The long-term aim is for you to qualify as a European Patent Attorney, entitling you to represent AWA’s clients before the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich.
As one of our patent attorneys, you will work with successful companies – both large and small – and with inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs working with IT, telecom, life science, etc. You will gradually gain detailed insight into a number of different areas of business and technology so, after a few years, you will have unique skills in IP.