If you are a junior IP lawyer you must do this....

The AmeriKat has been letting down her fellow young IP lawyers for too many years. Having been an member of IPSoc, the society for junior IP practitioners, since its inception many years ago, until last Friday she had managed to attend only one of their excellent educational events [cue IPSoc President James Seadon (Field Fisher Waterhouse) shaking his head]. Her lack of involvement is particularly scandalous given that it was her frustration at the distinct lack a junior IP lawyer groups that first propelled her into the IPKat's club all those years ago.

However, last Friday, against all odds and horrific jet lag, she finally made it to a social event in the form of IPSoc's Annual Dinner. The past year has been incredibly exciting for IP lawyers, but also somewhat terrifying for junior IP lawyers. With radical changes such as the proposed unified patents court, continuing economic uncertainty and, if Chief Judge Rader's warning is to be believed, the increasing competition from junior IP lawyers in China, you would be forgiven for thinking a gathering of young IP lawyers would be somewhat tinged with gloom. Although ironically held in the Crypt at Bleeding Heart, the mood amongst the IP lawyers could not have been more different with old friends and new acquaintances jubilantly clinking glasses and enthusiastically throwing out a whole manner of shapes on the dance floor [the AmeriKat apologizes for clearing the dance floor with IPSoc Social Secretary Julie Carlisle (Mewburn Ellis) with their Gangnam stylings].

The AmeriKat, having now recovered from Friday's festivities, is kicking herself for having not attended sooner. So for those lucky individuals based in the UK who are a:

Solicitor of less than 8 years' post qualification experience;

Barrister of less than 12 years' call;

Trade Mark and Patent Attorneys with up to 6 years' post qualification experience (for patent attorneys this will be calculated from either the EPA or CPA whichever was attained first);

Member of the Institute of Legal Executives of up to and including 8 years' admission.

the AmeriKat greatly encourages you to spend the incredibly affordable membership fee and join IPSoc for the coming year. Indeed, if you are a barrister and are not an IPSoc member the AmeriKat is greatly questioning your marketing prowess given how many instructing solicitor/attorney schmoozing opportunities you are missing [speak to lone barrister Committee member Miles Copeland (3 New Square) for further info].

The AmeriKat looks forward to seeing you at the next IPSoc event which is being held on Monday, 26 November 2012 at Simmons & Simmons where Michael Edenborough QC will be speaking on "Abuse of Process in Trade Mark Litigation". To reserve a place, please e-mail education@ipsoc.org.