Leading UK and European patent and trade mark attorneys, Appleyard Lees http://www.appleyardlees.com has completed its second annual Work Placement Programme, which is taking a fresh approach to attracting new talent to the firm.
The Programme, which was launched in 2015, saw over 100 applicants for the three day event which was held on 19 to the 21st of July this year, a 100% increase on the numbers for the inaugural year.
The Programme, which is run by Appleyard Lees HR manager Yvonne Sanderson, was launched to offer an alternative to the traditional interview process and to raise awareness of patent and trade mark law amongst graduates. The process also gives candidates valuable experience and an insight into the world of patent and trade mark attorneys and into key areas for the firm including electronics and software, engineering and physics, chemistry and pharmaceuticals, life sciences and biotechnology.
The 18 candidates who were successful in the selection process this year spent three days in the company’s Manchester, Leeds and Halifax offices, working alongside patent and trade mark attorneys and being given real tasks to complete.
Yvonne said: “For far too long law firms have stuck to a very traditional interview process, which can never give them a true appreciation of the candidate’s abilities or potential. After the success of last year’s Programme we are again investing time and resources into running our Work Placement Programme because we know it works and really does give graduates a far more three dimensional and thorough insight into our work.
“This is a hugely exciting time for IP and patent law, particularly as the world becomes an increasingly digital one. There is a wealth of career opportunities within IP and for specialists in areas such as manufacturing and biotech and this programme really helps them to start to explore them.”
Feedback from the candidates was overwhelmingly positive, praising the firm for “the opportunity to speak and work with Partners and to receive guidance from them in such a generous manner” and “giving me a fantastic introduction into many aspects of patent work. The chance to meet IP professionals as well as other candidates, and the structured exercises we were given, supervised by experienced attorneys, was a great grounding to have.”
Appleyard Lees, which has offices in Manchester, Leeds and Halifax, offers a breadth of expertise covering a wide range of IP and related issues, from building and managing portfolios to risk assessments, patent landscaping and due diligence. Services include patents, trade marks, design and copyright. Further information on Appleyard Lees can be found atwww.appleyardlees.com @AppleyardLees
