Seizing Opportunities: How to Succeed in an Intellectual Property Law Internship

What is an IP Law Internship?

An Intellectual Property (IP) Law Internship allows law students to participate in a variety of relevant tasks under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Though the precise duties of an IP Law Intern will vary from one law firm to another, you can rest assured that each internship will be a significant learning experience. While you should expect to perform some clerical duties throughout your internship – such as filing, photocopying, and scanning documents – the majority of your day will likely consist of performing research on IP matters. Essentially, you’ll be helping attorneys with a wide range of projects related to your studies. Examples of the types of research you may perform during an IP Law Internship include: Typically, you’ll spend the majority of your internship engaged in research and conducting informational interviews with clients, but there’s always a chance you’ll accompany an attorney to a hearing or trial if you’re lucky. On any given day, you may find yourself working on registration and licensing for a business’ trademark, patent , or copyright. The types of tasks you participate in during your internship are crucial because they give you the practical experience to supplement your academic training in IP law. Even though graduate school has given you the basic understanding of the field, an internship will allow you to learn more about what actual IP attorneys do for a living. Generally speaking, IP Law Internships are available to PhD and JD candidates interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property. Interns come to these firms at various stages of their education, including law school and graduate school. In some cases, a PhD may be required to apply for an internship. Although many internships will also consider JDs for the position, having a PhD can improve your odds of acceptance for competitive positions. Ultimately, an IP Law Internship is a terrific way to launch your IP career. Some internships are paid, although it’s not uncommon for some to be unpaid. Still, it’s a good way to gain the hands-on experience and insight that an advanced degree simply cannot provide.

Essential Skills for the Role

Skill sets required for success
One area of knowledge required for success is familiarity with the statutory framework that governs intellectual property law in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to a firm understanding of U.S. patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws, familiarity with other countries’ statutes in these areas is invaluable as well. For some jurisdictions, an English translation of the statute is available (e.g., the People’s Republic of China). The translation is usually not exactly the same wording as the original statute, but it is a good starting point for research.
For many IP practitioners, practical facts often trump statutory provisions in how the law is carried out. Familiarity with common judicial decisions interpreting these laws is therefore helpful. A good knowledge of the precedential weight of a decision from another district, circuit, state, or country is necessary to evaluate the potential impact of that case on an IP matter presented. After all, IP cases are usually decided on a "case by case" basis. For U.S. cases, databases such as Lexis and Westlaw can be used to research the cases, but foreign cases may require nonlegal databases to view the actual cases.
Many projects at an IP law firm require the IP intern to draft reports and advice to help attorneys in the firm provide clients with opinions and guidance about the IP laws as they pertain to a particular situation. The IP intern should be skilled at organizing information and presenting it in a clear, concise written document.
Most IP law firms will insist that their interns be excellent researchers. Many factors may influence the likelihood of successfully obtaining a patent or registration. The IP intern therefore should spend a lot of time analyzing relevant information found in the literature and by searching available databases. For example, if the IP intern were working on a patent application, it would be beneficial to know whether the invention has been publicly disclosed or whether another company has already patented the invention.

Finding the Right IP Law Internship

One of the more daunting and challenging responsibilities for many law students is obtaining an intellectual property law internship, which is extremely important for students interested in pursuing a career in IP law. In some cases, this can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful job search post-graduation. Academia and the Internet are vital resources in the search for an intellectual property law internship. Aside from online listings, such as your school’s job bank and private websites that aggregate internship opportunities, the best way to keep an eye out for these types of openings is to reach out to professors who teach intellectual property law. Intellectual property law is a field of law that constantly evolves, so researching institutions and their programs can help you figure out where to apply for IP law internships. Networking is incredibly important when searching for an internship in intellectual property law. First, you should consider tapping into the network created by your school. Many major law firms have relationships with law schools, either through recruitment or hiring events. If you work with your law school’s career services office, they may be able to connect you with specific firms that do IP law. You should also look into IP law organizations. Similar to bar associations that are available for most branches of law, some organizations aim to connect seasoned professionals with entry-level members of the industry. Organizations like Patent Resources Group, an international nonprofit organization based in Chicago, connect patent practitioners with college graduates and lawyers interested in learning about intellectual property. Instilling communication with experienced professionals will help you grow your professional network and get you acclimated to the kinds of skills and knowledge you should expect to gain out in the field. According to Eric Voelz, a partner at the internationally recognized law firm Banner & Witcoff, "Internships are extremely valuable because they provide interns with necessary experience in IP laws and applications as well as with a higher probability of receiving job offers." In particular, he encourages students "seeking internships to choose firms that provide exposure to the entire spectrum of the industry." As with many other offers, intellectual property firms offer internships for those who prove themselves to be promising candidates for the job through a successful internship. An intellectually enriching program includes assignments that give students insight into all the types of work involved on specified projects or types of work, so internships that offer a wide array of responsibilities – as opposed to only mundane tasks – are typically better suited for those interested in deepening their interest in IP law.

Making the Most of Your Internship

To fully unlock the opportunities that are available in an intellectual property law internship, it is important that the experience be used to further develop a broad range of skills. This can be accomplished by seeking out mentorship opportunities, gaining varied experiences and developing professional relationships.
Mentorship
As with any educational and developmental opportunity, having some guidance from someone who has gone before you is invaluable for helping you to find some usable direction in your IP law internship. Having such a mentor can help you to find and pursue the best possible opportunities. Particularly in your first few opportunities, your internship mentor may have suggestions on companies or firms that might provide an excellent experience .
Diverse Experience
Obtaining as many different types of opportunities as possible in all areas of an area of practice will help you to gain the broadest range of skills, and maximize the chances that you will make connections and become a viable candidate for the job of your choice. Try to obtain experience in many facets of the practice including those that may not have been your first interest coming into the internship.
Professional Relationships
Internships are a great way to form professional relationships that can benefit you for many years to come. One way to ensure you can best utilize these relationships is to stay in touch after you leave. Connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn, attend alumni events or reach out when you pass near their city or office.

Internship Prospects at Leading US Law Firms

In addition to in-house internships, many of the leading intellectual property law firms also offer internship programs for students studying or looking to study the subject. These firms range from well-known silhouettes like Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Goodman, Allen & Filetti, Dussek, and Finn, to other boutique firms. These law and lobbying firms offer a similar mix of opportunities and career advancement pathways as their in-house counterparts. Global firms like Apple and Samsung have established market leading reputations by specializing in patent law, but equally so have these firms. Many graduates at the top positions in patent law emerged from these firms, and such firms are perhaps the best option for those who want to study patent law seriously. Interns in such firms usually obtain hands-on experience with other experienced peers and are presented with opportunities to learn about lawyer responsibilities, deadlines and work ethics, as well as the benefits of being a patent lawyer. Interns can usually expect to work one or two years at internships before they leave for more advanced positions, with the internships ranging from 30 to 50 hours a week. This is the path for those seeking to advance their career in intellectual property law.

IP Law Internship Career Options

After completing an intellectual property law internship at a law firm or company, students often wonder what the next step will hold for them. Within the realm of IP, there are opportunities in law or corporate sectors. An individual with a degree in science, technology, law, or art will know how to focus on these factors when exploring any opportunity. Many IP students work at a law firm or company, some find part-time positions or work as interns at start-ups while they are still studying. A six-month-long internship is typically how long students usually work for. On the contrary , IP lawyers use their knowledge without getting involved in the technical side of things through legal practice. They typically work at bigger law firms in which they represent their clients and provide legal advice to them. The IP lawyer creates a strong platform for students to move forward to the attorney level. A patent attorney requires more in-depth knowledge of the technical side. After passing the bar and receiving the legal license, an individual can open up to a stable career in the field. He or she can help out clients to make better decisions for their businesses. Some companies hire IP lawyers as consultants for their intellectual properties. These consultants assist companies buying and selling IP rights. IP law consultants have technical degrees who can advise companies on market opportunities in intellectual property. They help the respective companies understand their prospective clients and how to negotiate the terms of confidentiality and exclusivity to keep their inventions secure.