Opportunities

We are a mid-size firm as far as boutiques go, and we are growing. We have career opportunities for:

1. Articling Students
2. Foreign Students
3. Lateral Associates
4. Patent and Trade-mark Agents

1. ARTICLING STUDENTS

As our focus is exclusively intellectual property law, you will be immersed in this specialized and highly exciting field.

Each year, we offer an articling position for one, and sometimes for two students. Generally, one student performs a rotation with respect to patent work while the other student will do trademark work. Half way through the articling term, the students switch rotations.

Patent and Trade-mark Prosecution / Litigation
We believe in learning from the ground up. You need to know the basics. As our student, you may be asked to serve and file documents in the Federal Court, the Ontario Court and at the Supreme Court of Canada. You will also receive our famous “Can you find it by yourself?” tour of the Patent and Trade-marks Office. You will learn how to search and prepare a patentability or registrability opinion based on your search.

You will get to draft and prepare applications, affidavits, pleadings, assignments and transfers, all in relation to patents, trademarks, and copyright. Our students have access to numerous precedents and all our professionals are eager to answer your questions. In addition, we also pair you up with a lawyer who is your principal mentor throughout the year.

You also have the opportunity to develop skills in gathering facts for use as evidence in Court, perform legal research for litigation purposes, and write legal memoranda to be incorporated in opinions and factums. You will be encouraged and invited to observe examinations, discoveries, court motions and Trade-mark Opposition Board hearings, especially when you are involved in preparing for the case.

In-House Education
Our students attend our weekly Practice Meetings where we present the latest cases from the Courts and any new developments in intellectual property law, both in Canada and abroad. We also have weekly litigation meetings to keep the litigation team informed of new rules, procedures and the progress of our own litigation cases.

Resources and Benefits
You will receive access to Quick Law, trade-mark search databases, reporting services and high speed internet access. Each of our students is provided with a computer running the latest software.
Our articling student salary is comparable to those of major firms in Ottawa. Benefits include a comprehensive medical / dental plan and Phase I Bar Admission fees.

For more information about this program, or to apply, please send your resume, or contact Gary Arkin. Please note that preference in our selection process is given to students with technical backgrounds such as engineering and/or science.

2. FOREIGN STUDENTS

In the past, we have had law students from other countries work with our firm for periods of 3 or 6 months. For more information about this program, or to apply, please send us your resume, or contact Gary Arkin.

3. LATERAL ASSOCIATES

We continue to look for qualified individuals who will work as team members in providing quality legal services to our clients.
Lateral associates have the opportunity to participate in all areas of our intellectual property practice, including patent, trademark and copyright litigation, prosecution, and licensing.
Applicants should have at least 2 years experience in intellectual property. Applicants interested in patents should also have an engineering or science degree.

For more information about this program, or to apply, send us your resume, or contact Elizabeth Elliott.

4. PATENT AND TRADE-MARK AGENTS

We employ patent and trademark agents, and also train individuals in the field and assist them to prepare for the agency examinations.
Our Patent and Trademark Agents draft and file applications for patents and trademarks for Canada and abroad. They also advise on and respond to examiners’ reports, as well as communicate with foreign clients and associates.

For more information about this program, or to apply, send us your resume, or contact Joseph Ulvr.