Interested in Intellectual Property? Want to find out more about the Patent Profession?

Please see details below of a work experience scheme at Dehns,  one of the largest patent firms in Europe, with offices in London, Brighton, Oxford and Munich.

Dehns will host a formal work experience scheme during the summer of 2015. This will be designed to provide a select number of candidates with a first-hand opportunity to see what it is like to work as a Patent or Trade Mark Attorney.
We are looking to run a two-week scheme for a group of four to six participants.
Dehns has an excellent reputation for training standards. We are also renowned for our commitment to quality of work along with our approachable and ‘user friendly’ attitude. The lengthier duration of our work experience scheme will allow time for us to demonstrate this approach, to show you how we interact with our clients, and to give you an idea of what you can expect from a career with us.
We are looking for a diverse range of candidates to join us and welcome applications from undergraduates, graduates, or post-graduates of any relevant discipline.

The Firm recruits on average anywhere between four and eight graduate or post-graduate positions per year in total for its patent and trade mark departments. The work experience scheme will form a key part of our recruitment process.
Scheme dates
We anticipate that our scheme will run for one continuous two-week period during July or August 2015. The exact dates will be confirmed in early 2015.
Location
You will spend your time in one or more of our UK offices (London, Brighton, or Oxford).

How to apply and recruitment process

Please complete and submit our online application, along with a covering letter by close of 28 February 2015. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.
Please note that applicants must have or expect to have a minimum 2:1 result in their undergraduate degree.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a short interview assessment to take place in March 2015, after which offers will be made to those accepted onto the scheme. The work experience period will be unpaid; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
The Firm will continue to accept speculative applications outside of the work experience scheme throughout the year as normal.

http://www.dehns.com/site/careers/work_experience/

Vacation Scheme Deadlines Fast Approaching

The main deadline of 31 January to apply for a summer vacation scheme in 2015 in a commercial law firm is fast approaching.  This is a crucial date in the legal recruitment calendar as more firms each year use vacation schemes as the main means to assess candidates for training contracts.

This makes sense as a vacation scheme can be seen as a one or two week-long interview so the firm can have a good look at the suitability of someone for a training contract. The next important deadline for some firms is 28 February.

Here is the link for the All About Law Vacation Scheme Deadline Campaign, which lists all the deadlines for upcoming vacation schemes:

http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes<http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes?utm_source=Non-Law&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Vacation%20Scheme>

City law firms: http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes/city-firms

Regional law firms: http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes/regional-firms

US law firms: http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes/us-firms

International law firms: http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes/international-firms

First year Insight Days in commercial Law firms

More and more commercial Law firms are offering at least a day of work experience to first year students. These days are designed to give first years an insight into life as a commercial solicitor. 

The majority of the law firms are in London, though not exclusively, so look at firms such as Addleshaw Goddard and DLA Piper for opportunities in Manchester.

For the full list of Open and Insight Days please visit:
http://www.studentladder.co.uk/Law-Solicitors/law-solicitors

Law Commission now recruiting for September 2015

Happy New Year to all Law students!

To start off the New Year, as always, the Law Commission is recruiting up to 18 Research Assistants to work for approximately 51 weeks starting in September 2015 in London.  The posts will be available in the following areas:

Commercial and Common Law
Criminal Law
Property, Family and Trust Law
Public Law
Statute Law Repeals

Applications are now open for final year Law students and close on 29 January 2015. Interviews will take place in March 2015.

For more information go to
http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission/working-for-us/jobs.htm

Applying for the BPTC for September 2015?

Applications for the BPTC for 2015 are now being accepted.  There is a change this year to the web address for applying. This is now to be accessed via The Bar Student Application Service which can be found at https://www.barsas.com/

 

The closing date for applications is Monday 12 January 2015.

 

Candidates must pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/qualifying-as-a-barrister/bar-professional-training-course/bar-course-aptitude-test/

Candidates must also join an Inn by 31 May 2015.

 

Please let me know if you need any help with your applications.  Email me at p.hardie@chester.ac.uk

Vacation Schemes for Summer 2015 - time to apply now!

If you are interested in a career as a commercial solicitor in a larger firm then this blog post is for you.

 

The time of year is approaching when you need to focus on vacation scheme applications.  Many firms who offer these will have a deadline to apply for an Easter or Summer vacation scheme by 31st January 2015.
 
The application process for vacation schemes can be very similar to the training contract application process and in some cases, applications for both are made on the same form.

In order to ensure that you stand the best chance of securing your vacation scheme, make sure that you:

1. Plan ahead – don’t leave it until the last minute. Application forms can take a considerable amount of time to prepare (if you are doing them properly!).
2. Do your research – be clear about who you want to apply to and why. Be sure to check the minimum application criteria.
3. Target your applications. Make sure that you understand what the firm is all about, looking at key practice areas, location, key clients and culture.

For details of the Law firms offering vacation schemes go to www.lawcareers.net and

http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/vacation-schemes

Manchester Law Fair is now less than 2 weeks away

Manchester Law Fair 2014 is taking place at Manchester Central on Tuesday 18 November from 12.30 - 4.00pm.

This is one of the largest Law Fairs in the country and is open to both Law and non-law students from any university.

This fair is an excellent forum for students and graduates to have discussions with firms of solicitors about their opportunities for vacation placements and training contracts, to talk to training providers about their law courses or to find out about careers at the Bar or in other areas of Law.

Online registration for the fair is now open.

Sign up on the Law School noticeboard at 67 Liverpool Road for the free coach to take you there!

Details of the exhibitors and the link to online registration are available at:
Law Fair Exhibitors

Please see below for link to my presentation on how to prepare for the
Law Fair: