Watermark

 

We recognize the importance of both a professional and personal life and endeavour to achieve the appropriate balance for each of our employees. We feel that this approach allows our employees the flexibility and assurance to focus on the needs of our clients.

We believe that this approach allows for happier employees and encourages a mutual loyalty between Watermark and its staff.

Our supportive approach

• Induction
• Training
• A more rounded work experience
• Ongoing professional development
• Industry involvement
• Our role as an educator
• Performance management

What types of positions are available at Watermark?

Professional

Our firm's patent practice covers all areas of technology within the broad areas of Biosciences and Chemical Technologies, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Engineering and Trade Marks and we employ both qualified patent & trade mark attorneys and trainee attorneys in each area.

Trainee attorneys should have a tertiary qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline.
Link through to Becoming a patent attorney - FAQs

Watermark also employs lawyers with experience in intellectual property matters.

Managerial

Watermark employs specific managers in HR, IT, Finance, Operations, Learning & Development and Marketing as well as two directors in the areas of Finance & Administration and Business Development. 

Support

Our support team consists of staff in the following areas:

• Accounts
• Secretarial
• Information Retrieval
• IP Clerical and Administrative staff

How to apply

Send your CV together with a letter outlining your background and the reasons for your interest in working at Watermark to our Human Resources Manager, Gayle French, at the address above or via email at gmf@watermark.com.au.

Becoming a Patent Attorney

How Do I Become A Patent Attorney?

In order to become a registered patent attorney in Australia, a candidate must first have a tertiary qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline.
The candidate must then pass an accredited course of study that satisfies the requirements of registration, be an ordinary resident of Australia, and have worked with a registered patent attorney or been employed practicing patent matters on behalf of a company, or been an examiner of patents for at least one year.

The most common method of qualification is to work with a firm of patent attorneys as a Technical Assistant (TA) while studying to pass a set of examinations. Watermark Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys employs a numbers of TAs at various stages in the qualification process. TAs work directly with Principals and qualified attorneys taking an increased responsibility with clients under supervision, receiving training in patent attorney practice and keeping their skills up to date through constant exposure to the latest developments in technology.
For further information please see the website of the Institute of Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia www.ipta.com.au or IP Australia on www.ipaustralia.gov.au.

What Does a Patent Attorney Do?

Patent attorneys provide clients with assistance in the protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. They must initially have a tertiary qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline and undertake further qualifications and training in the laws relating to patents, trade marks and designs, gaining a good understanding of laws relating to copyright, trade practices, circuit layouts, plant breeders rights, and confidential information. In patent matters, the patent attorney assesses each invention for patentability, conducts searches for possible infringements or to see if the invention already exists, and writes a highly specialised legal/technical description and definition of the invention known as a "patent specification". The patent attorney lodges this document in the Patent Office and follows through the various procedural steps up to grant of the patent.
Similarly, the patent attorney prepares, files and processes applications for registration of trade marks and designs.
Other general services a patent attorney would normally provide to his or her clients may include advice to clients on the management of their intellectual property portfolio, or advice as to the validity of patents or registrations held by others. These skills arise through familiarity with administrative practices and relevant laws.
On an international level, patent attorneys operate within an extensive network of associates in other countries, and have extensive experience in advising clients in filing overseas.
There are around 420 practising patent attorneys in Australia, most of whom practice in private firms or work in the intellectual property department of companies or government bodies.

 

Could you be a Patent Attorney?

A patent attorney is usually a person with a unique combination of talents, having skills in understanding a broad range of science and technology, and also being capable of analysing technical matters from a legal perspective.   A patent attorney needs a capacity for good personal communication and detailed analysis of complex matters, and is able to write with both clarity and precision.