Trainee Patent Attorney - Engineering

Trainee Patent Attorney – Engineering

Withers & Rogers LLP are looking for a bright and curious mind to join the firm's Advanced Engineering Group in Bristol as a Trainee Patent Attorney.

This is an opportunity to train and qualify as a Patent Attorney in both the UK and Europe, working with some of the world’s most exciting businesses to help protect their cutting-edge technology.

A career in the patent profession offers a unique platform to put your technical expertise into practice in a commercial environment. Long-term career prospects are fantastic and Withers & Rogers pride themselves on their employees' work-life balance: realistic business targets mean that you will have time for a life outside of the office.

Apply now to join Withers & Rogers and discover why a career as a Patent Attorney is a fantastic use of your academic training.

Becoming a Patent Attorney at Withers & Rogers

An excellent salary is on offer, as well as a discretionary Christmas bonus and our full package of employee benefits, which includes our healthcare cash plan, holiday buy/sell scheme, a generous sabbatical policy and more.

Qualification as a Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney involves passing several sets of examinations and we provide a comprehensive package of support for our trainees through the process. We will pay for you to attend courses, lectures and tutorials which are organised by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA). In addition, we have our own in-house tutorial system to prepare trainees for both the UK and European qualifying exams. Our patent professionals offer advice and help throughout, so you won't be on your own.

The main focus of training, however, is exposure to a great variety of work on actual live cases under the supervision of a qualified Attorney. We give our trainees real responsibility early on, and you should expect to be making a significant contribution to client work within your first year.

Who we're looking for

Applicants should have a strong degree (2:1 or above at undergraduate level as a minimum) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.

You will be able to demonstrate a passion for technology that goes beyond the academic, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to grasp new technical concepts. Confidence when communicating effectively with clients and staff of all levels is also a prerequisite.

Though not essential, relevant work experience may put candidates at an advantage, and we would welcome applications from experienced individuals who wish to make a career change into the patent profession.

Why choose Withers & Rogers?

Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms. Our Advanced Engineering group is enthusiastic about great engineering. Our team works across a hugely diverse span of technologies, from medical devices, motorsport, oil and gas exploration, vehicle transmission, to off-highway vehicles and sporting goods and more.

We believe that our patent and trade mark attorneys, support, and operations staff have a breadth of expertise and a depth of specialist sector knowledge that is second to none. Our purpose is building trusting relationships, and this permeates through everything we do, from working with each other to providing strategic advice to our clients.

We focus on building strong partnerships with clients - getting to know their business, seeking to understand how best to protect the fruits of their developments and how to ensure that IP protection genuinely adds value to their organisation.

Our recruitment process

We are committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

As a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We encourage our people to broaden their knowledge, challenge themselves and share their ideas.

We recognise that everyone is different and may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, including at application, online assessment or interview stage. You’ll have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments at every stage, but you’re also welcome to contact us at any point to discuss your needs. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs and provide appropriate support and adjustments within the role.

We welcome applications from candidates who feel they could succeed in the role. Even if you’re unsure whether you meet all the desirable knowledge and skills detailed in the job description, we’d be happy to hear from you. To be considered for the position, please submit your application through the careers page on our website.

Next Steps

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 6 October 2026 and the assessment day is scheduled to take place in person on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at our Bristol office. The successful applicant will start in September 2027, although earlier start dates will be considered.

Our application form is online, and your progress will be saved once you have started the application, allowing you to make edits prior to submitting if you wish to.

Candidates who meet the shortlisting criteria will be invited to complete an online aptitude assessment, which forms part of our selection process. Those who are successful at this stage will then be invited to a telephone interview with a member of our HR team.

For any questions relating to the vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR team by completing the online enquiry form or calling us directly