A career in IP can be a varied and interesting vocation, and it can be a career pathway built from the ground up. In fact, as Albright IP’s patent paralegal Louisa Miller explains, the journey into IP can be both successful and rewarding, even if you started down a completely different route.
What’s your role, and how did you get into IP?
I’m a patent paralegal and lead one of the paralegal teams under Managing Director Robert Games. My journey into IP was quite unusual; after working with horses, I landed an in-house job at Dyson in 2016.
At that point, I didn’t really know what IP was, but I soon grew to love it. They supported me through all of my exams, which helped me to qualify in the field. I started with entry level work, but I really pushed to improve – I wanted more!
What was your educational path before entering the IP world?
I didn’t go to university, and after my A Levels, I worked with horses for several years. After an injury, I took into consideration the risks involved in my current role, and decided transitioning to a more stable job was for the best! That’s when I joined Dyson’s IP team.
What has been the biggest challenge in your IP career?
IP is constantly evolving, and that is a challenge in itself. Developments like Brexit, and the recent introduction of the Unified Patent Court, means that the learning never stops. Even when you’re qualified and you have an understanding – there’s more to learn. It’s one of the aspects I really enjoy about IP.
How has your role evolved since joining Albright IP?
It’s expanded significantly. In the beginning, I supported just one attorney, whereas now I oversee a broader team, including training new paralegals. It’s exciting being able to play my part in building a strong team.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
I love training people. It can be quite daunting for new starters. A lot of people come into the role, and they want to hit the ground running and show that they can do it, but in reality there is a lot to learn at first! It can actually be quite a slow process to begin with, seeing people’s confidence grow and their knowledge expand is what’s really satisfying and rewarding.
Beyond your specific role, what do you enjoy most about working at Albright IP?
Albright IP, being the size that it is, means we cover all aspects of intellectual property. We get to see everything from the conception of an idea, right through to grants and litigation. It’s all very fast paced and exciting. In other law firms you may be limited to just working in one specialist area, whereas Albright’s specialism allows for a closer connection with everyone, right through to the directors, owners and clients.
Any advice for those aspiring to work in IP?
I would say – just go for it! It’s a role that requires so much more than just a university degree. Getting stuck in, having good attention to detail and the right personality are all important. There’s a really diverse range of areas to explore within IP.
If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?
I think I would have gravitated towards an administrative role. I love organisation and analytics, but I think I’d find standard admin work a little mundane in the long run. Being an IP paralegal involves the admin side of things, but it’s also a lot more exciting!
What’s the one thing people might not know about you?
I’ve had a very close encounter with a horse! It was a double barrel kick that broke my arm. It’s quite the story!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love dog walking, especially pub dog walks. I have a Korthals Griffon – a very scruffy but adorable breed.
