Answering the question: What led you to become a patent attorney?, Jo Addison shares her career journey from a graduate with a passion for sport, to a science teacher and eventually a patent attorney.
At school the things I enjoyed most were science and sport, I particularly liked chemistry for the practical work – who doesn't like playing with fire? I studied natural sciences at university and graduated with a MSci in physical and theoretical chemistry.
When I finished my degree, I spent several months teaching windsurfing in Greece which was a lot of fun, but I knew I eventually wanted a job that made use of my chemistry degree. So, I did some thinking around my time playing in the sunshine and applied for a job as a science teacher with Teach First. My interview was just after I arrived back home and I got the job. I had time to fit in a ski season working as a chalet host, having my shoulder repaired after a few accidents, before I started teaching science at a fairly challenging (but also awesome) secondary school in Croydon.
In the three years I spent with Teach First at my first school, I learnt a lot about myself, as well as about teaching. I then moved to a school a bit further south for a new challenge of teaching A-level physics.
Part-way into my fourth year of teaching, I started to look for different jobs that would allow me to use more of my chemistry degree. One day while browsing my university's career website, I found a section called "hands off science"; the only job advertised on there was for a trainee patent attorney.
I'd never heard of a patent attorney, but from the brief description was immediately interested. After a couple of weeks of research and speaking to people in the profession, I decided to apply. I actually really enjoyed the interview process; I love thinking about and explaining how things work which is a key part of the job.
I've worked at three different firms, and have been with Haseltine Lake Kempner for just over ten years. I love my job, I get to work with great people and constantly have to use my brain – whether it's getting to grips with new technologies or using the law to develop strong arguments. I also enjoy working closely with my clients and getting to understand their businesses. The role can be challenging and very busy at times, but also allows me the flexibility to work part-time around family commitments and still have time to do the sports I've always loved.
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