Patent Agent/Patent Agent Trainee

MLT Aikins LLP; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MLT Aikins LLP in Calgary seeks a Patent Agent or Patent Agent Trainee to join its growing intellectual property practice. You will work with inventors and businesses to protect innovations across technologies, drafting, prosecuting, and managing patent portfolios in Canada and internationally.

The successful candidate will collaborate with experienced patent professionals and contribute to strategic IP matters, gaining exposure to diverse technologies and global filing activities.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a technical discipline such as engineering, CS, chemistry, physics or related field.
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills to support patent work.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical concepts and convey them clearly.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple files and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Draft patent applications for mechanical, electrical, software, chemistry and other technologies.
• Interview inventors and analyze new inventions to assess patentability.
• Prepare responses to examination reports from CIPO, USPTO and foreign offices.
• Conduct patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity and infringement analyses.
• Manage domestic and international patent portfolios for clients.
• Conduct prior art and landscape searches to inform strategy.
• Assist clients with IP strategy and commercialization matters.
• Collaborate with lawyers, patent agents, inventors and in-house counsel.

Skills

Technical concept comprehension

Strong writing & communication

Attention to detail

Interest in IP law & innovation

Education

Technical undergraduate/graduate degree

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in a technical field

Tools

Patent searching tools & databases

Job description

About MLT Aikins

MLT Aikins is a full-service law firm of more than 350 lawyers across the four western provinces. Named one of Canada’s best law firms by the Globe and Mail, MLT Aikins is the only law firm to have offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Regina and Winnipeg. As one of the largest firms in Canada, we have the bench strength and geographic scope to meet the increasingly complex needs of clients.

We are seeking a motivated Patent Agent or Patent Agent Trainee to join our growing intellectual property practice. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with inventors, entrepreneurs, emerging companies and established businesses to protect innovations across a broad range of technologies.

The successful candidate will work with experienced patent professionals in the preparation, prosecution and strategic management of patent portfolios in Canada and internationally. Candidates with strong technical backgrounds who are interested in developing a career in patent law are encouraged to apply.

Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate’s responsibilities may include:

• Drafting patent applications for mechanical, electrical, software, computer-related, industrial, agricultural, energy, medical device and other technologies
• Interviewing inventors and analyzing new inventions
• Preparing responses to examination reports issued by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and foreign patent offices
• Conducting patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity and infringement analyses
• Managing and developing domestic and international patent portfolios
• Conducting prior art and patent landscape searches
• Assisting clients with intellectual property strategy and commercialization matters
• Collaborating with lawyers, patent agents, inventors and in-house counsel

Qualifications:

Patent Agent Trainee Candidates:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a technical discipline such as mechanical, electrical, computer, software, chemical or agricultural engineering; computer science; chemistry; physics; biotechnology or a related technical discipline
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical concepts
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Interest in intellectual property law and innovation

Patent Agent Candidates also require:

• Registered Canadian Patent Agent
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications
• Strong technical and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple files and deadlines independently

Preferred Qualifications:

The following are considered assets, but not required:

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in a technical field
• Industry experience in engineering, software development, manufacturing, research, agriculture, energy, medical devices or related industries
• Previous intellectual property experience
• Experience preparing technical reports, publications or academic papers
• Familiarity with patent searching tools and patent databases

Why patent law

Patent practice offers a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with legal and business strategy. You will work with innovators across multiple industries, evaluate cutting-edge technologies and help clients secure valuable intellectual property rights that support their commercial objectives.

Our Diversity Statement

Our principles of diversity, equity and inclusion create a space for everyone to collaborate, allowing us to deliver excellent and increasingly innovative legal service to our clients. We encourage individuals of a diverse group (disability, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individual of diverse gender or sexual orientation) to apply to our job postings when they become available.