Becoming a Patent & Trade Mark Attorney

Whether you are finishing your tertiary studies or considering a career change, here are the current steps to qualify as a patent & trade mark attorney in Australia and New Zealand.

Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick hires both registered patent & trade mark attorneys and candidates working towards registration.

To become a patent & trade mark attorney, you’ll need a tertiary qualification in a relevant technical field, such as science, physics, or engineering, that aligns with the areas we specialise in. While some of our attorneys also hold postgraduate degrees (Masters or PhDs), these are not essential for all roles.

Study

To become a registered patent & trade mark attorney in Australia and New Zealand, you must complete the academic knowledge requirements set by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB). These comprise of eight topic groups, covering areas such as legal processes, intellectual property fundamentals, professional conduct, patent law and practice, patent drafting, interpretation and validity, trade marks, and designs.

Universities like UTS and The University of Melbourne offer the full suite of accredited subjects required for registration. At Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, we support our trainee attorneys by offering study leave while they complete these courses.

Registration

In addition to completing the required study, you must undertake at least two years of supervised employment within an intellectual property practice. This hands-on experience allows you to develop and apply the full range of patent attorney skills.

At Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, our structured supervision program is designed to help you build the competencies outlined by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB).

Upon successful completion, we will prepare a Statement of Skill on your behalf, confirming your professional competence and good character, including declarations that you have not been declared bankrupt or convicted of any offences relevant to your professional integrity.

This Statement of Skill, along with evidence of your academic qualifications, forms part of your application for registration with the TTIPAB. Once approved, you’ll be entered into the Official Register of Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys and authorised to practise in both Australia and New Zealand.

To maintain your registration, the Board requires completion of 15 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) annually. At Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, we provide ongoing in-house training to ensure our attorneys remain up to date with evolving practices and meet CPE requirements.