“From Chemistry Graduate to Patent Attorney: Lucy Padget’s Journey in Intellectual Property Law”

From Lab Bench to Patent Attorney: The Journey of Lucy Padget

Lucy Padget, a chemistry graduate from the University of Oxford, began her career at Zeneca Pharmaceuticals (now AstraZeneca). However, she soon realized that without a PhD, her career progression would be limited. This led her to explore other avenues, eventually leading her to train as an in-house patent attorney. Now, 16 years after qualifying, Padget has started her own intellectual property partnership, offering a fresh perspective on the patent profession.

Chemistry and Patents: A Perfect Blend

Padget explains that her work in patents heavily involves her chemistry background, which was one of the initial attractions for her. While a qualified patent attorney can technically work in any field, most practitioners specialize in either chemical, biological, electronic, or mechanical innovations. Padget spent around five years qualifying, passing a series of challenging legal exams. “It’s an iterative process, you just keep chipping away at it,” she says.

Patently Waiting: The Varied Role of a Patent Attorney

Once qualified, Padget found the job to be surprisingly varied. As well as drafting patent applications, it involves ‘prosecution’, the process of defending your application to patent offices around the world. “It’s pretty rare that applications fly through, there is usually something that you have to fix before a patent is granted,” she explains.

Padget notes that the role of patent attorneys has evolved over the past few decades, with a drop in the number and scope of patents filed. The job now involves more focus on understanding a team’s intellectual property (IP) assets, due diligence for any IP purchased, and collaborative agreements. Working in-house provided Padget with a comprehensive understanding of the commercial side of patent law and the intellectual property life-cycle.

Going It Alone: Starting Her Own Practice

Padget’s wide range of experience proved invaluable when she decided to start her own practice, Alembia Intellectual Property, in partnership with another patent attorney. Their new partnership is based at the BioHub Alderley Park, part of Manchester Science Parks. “It’s a really supportive atmosphere, with a fantastic ecosystem of really talented scientists and many ex-colleagues, who have helped make introductions and refer potential clients,” says Padget.

The most significant difference moving into private practice is the need to precisely account for time billed to clients. However, Padget hopes that working independently will allow her to continue to work on projects long-term. “One of the things I appreciated was working on a product right from the beginning. You become really invested and if you are really fortunate, you see it onto the market. I am hoping we will still be as invested in our clients’ IP,” she says.

Advice for Aspiring Patent Attorneys

For chemistry graduates considering a career in patent law, Padget advises exploring the different private practice and in-house roles. Each has its unique benefits and challenges. In both cases, she says, as well as needing excellent analytical and drafting skills, “you also have to be incredibly comfortable working in the grey zone”: there is often no right or wrong answers in law and you need to be creative in finding arguments to support your position. “You have to be confident and be able to assert your case, even if you are on shaky ground!” she concludes.