Articling Program
Working at an intellectual property law firm can be exciting! Every day, we are immersed in our clients’ new and innovative technologies, cutting-edge inventions, and encounter unlimited and unbound creativity. You can be certain that a career in IP Law with MBM will be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. MBM’s client base is diverse, from startups to global corporations, and covers constantly evolving industries like Biotechnology, CleanTech, AI, and Telecommunications, among many others. We invite you to explore our Industries page to learn more about the areas in which we specialize.
At MBM, we pride ourselves on having a culture where every employee is a part of the big picture but preserving each person’s individuality and unique voice. Our environment fosters open communication and ensures employees are empowered and engaged. Our cross-functional and collaborative structure provides excellent training and growth opportunities. We offer a unique, flexible working environment as well as competitive compensation and benefits packages.
During your articling period, you will have an opportunity to rotate through our three largest practice areas, patents, trademarks and litigation. On the professional development side, we encourage our students to attend educational seminars, external workshops and conferences related to their specific technical backgrounds. Your articling experience with us will be intensive and stimulating. Below is a snapshot of your possible experience in each of the three practice groups.
Litigation, Legal Opinions, Contracts and Agreements Practice
In the litigation, legal opinions, contracts and agreements practice, you will assist the IP Lawyers with:
- Legal research
- Drafting contracts and licensing agreements
- Drafting cease-and-desist letters
- Drafting transfer and assignment of IP rights documents
- Listening to IP enforcement and litigation strategy meetings
- Listening to negotiations and settlement meetings
- Drafting patent validity and infringement opinions
- Exposure to litigation proceedings in front of all levels of Court, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal
Patent Practice
If, in addition to your law degree, you also have a technical or scientific educational background, then you can get experience with our patent practice, where you will assist the Patent Agents with:
- Drafting Patent applications
- Patent filing and examination process (prosecution) with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and coordinating filing and prosecution worldwide
- Patent searches and freedom-to-operate opinions
- Exposure to patent monitoring, patent mapping and management of patent portfolios
- Due diligence and IP audits
- Listening to patent strategy meetings with clients
- Patent formalities
Trademark Practice
In the trademark practice, you will assist the Trademark Agents with:
- Trademark registrability and clearance searches
- Trademark application drafting and prosecution
- Trademark opposition proceedings
- Trademark watches
- Madrid treaty trademark applications and prosecution in Canada and worldwide
Building Your Professional Practice
Establishing good habits at the beginning of your legal career is paramount to successfully building your legal practice. At MBM, we try to prepare our students by:
- Providing in-depth training in at least one MBM IP practice
- Encouraging participation in networking and business development opportunities
- Teaching how to develop good habits in administrative procedures and systems
- Teaching how to develop good habits in time tracking, time entry and client billing procedures
- Encouraging the writing of articles for MBM’s newsletter
Your Future at MBM
At MBM, there are a number of career paths you can choose from, including becoming an IP litigator, a Patent Agent (if you have an additional technical or scientific educational background) or a Trademark Agent. No matter which career path you choose, we are committed to preparing our articling students for a successful career in intellectual property law.
Current job opportunities available:
- no current openings
