Geldards launches Careers in Ideas 2024 Intellectual Property work experience
On 1 July 2024, Geldards welcomed two Cardiff University graduates as part of the Summer of IP – Careers in Ideas work experience scheme focused on Intellectual Property law.
This marks the first year the firm has participated in the scheme.
Geldards is the first law firm to offer this type of experience locally to law students and graduates with a keen interest in IP law. Senior Associate Gosia Evans who led the campaign said:
“As a signatory to the IP Inclusive Diversity and Equality Charter on behalf of Geldards, I have been keen to expand our collaboration with IP Inclusive by way of participating in their initiatives and bringing them closer to home. It is no secret that there are plenty of opportunities in London, but not as many are available locally. If we strive to achieve true diversity and inclusivity, we need to address this issue by way of opening our doors to discover and encourage the very best and most talented young people.
I know firsthand how challenging the legal profession can be to enter, particularly in specialist areas, such as IP, which often appear inaccessible and which are not taught practically as part of university law degrees. I also know how many stereotypes and glass ceilings can be encountered on the way. Fortunately, the landscape has changed significantly during the last decade and the IP legal world in particular is far more open today. It is an exciting place to be.
I am grateful to the firm’s HR team and partners who supported this initiative.”
Geldards received a number of very impressive applications for the scheme and is delighted that two excellent graduates from Cardiff University, Rhiannon Haughton and Phoebe Yong, joined for the work experience. The firm expresses gratitude for their high-quality work and wishes them every success in their future legal careers.
Geldards hopes to build on the success of this scheme in the coming years and to expand it in line with the changing routes of qualification into the legal profession.
Following the work experience day, Rhiannon said:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my IP work experience day at Geldards. Throughout the day I have both improved my IP knowledge and learned about the litigation process and everything that comes with it. Gosia has provided great insight into the workings of the firm as well as the type of work carried out by the IP litigation team.
I have no doubt in recommending Geldards IP work experience for anyone with curiosity as to the practical running of IP cases or pursuing a career in litigation.”
Phoebe added:
“This scheme has been very interesting and insightful, especially after seeing textbook knowledge brought into real-life disputes. I’ve also learned a lot from Gosia’s guidance and it has made me more keen on venturing into IP law in the future. Along with the substantive IP law, this scheme has brought in the procedural aspects which provided me with more comprehensive knowledge.”
To find out more about the upcoming opportunities, please follow our announcements on IP Inclusive’s official website and apply in due course.