Emily Chan
Design Engineering, Imperial College London
I’m Emily, a PhD student at Imperial College London. My research focuses on using wearable technology, biomechanics, and AI tools to help prevent sports-related brain injuries. I first learnt about patent attorneys through my university’s career service, which helped me identify key values I wanted in a job. This career aligned well with many of them.
My academic journey has been quite interdisciplinary. It began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computing and now a PhD in Injury Biomechanics. This internship was my first experience with patents. I spent the week at Mewburn Ellis' Manchester office alongside seven other interns, exploring the patent world through hands-on tasks and insightful sessions. It’s been an intense, eye-opening, and enjoyable week.
Learn and Grow
Before this week, the work of a patent attorney was something I could only imagine. But this week, the pieces of that puzzle came to life. We didn't just sit through presentations; we got hands-on experience drafting claims, responses, and even oppositions. I found the oppositions to be the most interesting part, as they build upon the writing with an extra layer of strategic thinking.
Day-to-day, my PhD involves a mix of technical tasks with extensive academic reading and writing. I’ve noticed that the work of a patent attorney shares some similarities with research but also differs in lots of aspects.
Language Precision vs. Clarity
Patent attorney work requires an exceptional level of precision, whereas academic writing tends to prioritise clarity.
Rapid Learning Across Domains
The pace of learning in patent law is remarkably fast. Like research, it involves studying literature and identifying gaps, but the scope of inventions a patent attorney might encounter is much broader and more varied.
Stakeholder Communication
My PhD is industry-funded, so I regularly communicate with various stakeholders. Patent attorneys engage with inventors and clients from various backgrounds for various applications, requiring strong interpersonal and interpretive skills.
Business Development
I’m excited by the business development aspect of the role. I’ve always viewed networking as a vital yet often underappreciated part of technical careers, and it’s refreshing to see it integrated into the patent attorney profession.
Culture at Mewburn Ellis
Everyone I met at Mewburn Ellis this week was incredibly welcoming. It’s one of those places where conversations feel natural and non-stressful. The atmosphere reflects a flexible working pace, a supportive hybrid working policy, and a culture that favours a flat structure over a rigid hierarchy.
I was especially impressed by the social event where we had an entire venue with an open bar. It really showed the firm’s friendliness and inclusiveness. People were open to chatting about all kinds of topics: the firm, the work, and life beyond the office. It felt like a place where professional relationships are built on genuine connection.
Acknowledgements
The application process for this internship was impressively smooth. All the admin and logistics were arranged perfectly before the week even began. We were warmly welcomed and well looked after.
I’m also grateful to all the trainees and associates who took the time to chat with us during the social event and the following day. Hearing insights from people at different stages of their careers was genuinely helpful and gave me a clear picture of what life as a patent attorney is like.
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