Increasing access to the IP profession
Appleyard Lees engage in a number of initiatives designed to offer prospective attorneys’ better access to the IP profession which, historically, has not been available in equal ways to all people.
Our activities are inspired in part by Clifford Lees, OBE (the man who put ‘Lees’ in Appleyard Lees. Clifford, who himself came from very humble beginnings, was possibly the most important figure in the firm’s history. He was instrumental in growing the firm from a solo practice to what it is today, a firm of over eighty IP attorneys and solicitors with complimentary skillsets. Clifford was active on the Council of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) for many years and was President of the Institute from 1991 to 1992. He was awarded an OBE for services to the patent industry in June 1996.
Clifford’s passion for new technology and IP, his client-focused attitude, and overwhelming desire to help people, underpin our firm’s culture today. In his memory, and to play our part in increasing access to and diversity within the IP profession.
- Partner with schools and universities to deliver talks, workshops, or mentoring sessions that demystify IP careers and highlight diverse pathways into the profession
- Create accessible resources (e.g. videos, blogs, guides) explaining what IP professionals do and how to enter the field
- Provide work experience or shadowing placements to give real-world insight into IP careers
- Review job descriptions and criteria to ensure they are inclusive and welcoming to non-traditional candidates
- Partner with organisations like IP Inclusive.
