D Young & Co

Overview

D Young & Co is a leading, top-tier European intellectual property firm with a long heritage (founded in 1891) and specialist strength across patents, trade marks, designs and IP litigation. The firm runs a one-stop IP model combining patent and trade mark attorneys with solicitors and Rechtsanwälte to deliver UK–Germany–Europe advice from offices in London, Southampton and Munich. It is particularly known for deep technical expertise (electronics/engineering/IT and life sciences/chemistry/pharmaceuticals), strong EPO opposition and UPC/European litigation capabilities, and a training-focused culture that supports qualification as UK and European patent attorneys.

Headquarters: London, 3 Noble Street, EC2V 7BQ
Founded: 1891
Lawyers: Over 75 qualified attorneys and solicitors
Offices: 3

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Intellectual Property
Technology & Digital
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Media & Entertainment
Retail & Consumer
Energy & Natural Resources
Commercial Contracts

Geographic Focus: Strong UK–Germany focus with offices in London, Southampton and Munich and a European practice that handles EPO oppositions, UPC representation, and pan-European prosecution and disputes. The firm serves clients across Europe and internationally and positions itself as a European IP partner with global filing and litigation coverage via trusted overseas agents.

Training Contract

The firm follows the specialist patent training route. Entry typically starts as a technical assistant/trainee: foundation training (PG Certificate in Intellectual Property), two years' qualifying experience then Pre-EQE, followed by post-foundation training preparing for UK Patent Examination Board (PEB) final diploma papers (FD1 and FD4) and the four EQE papers. The firm emphasises on-the-job training, in-house tutorials, external courses, mentor(s) (typically partners to whom trainees report), and tailored timelines where required. Timeline presented on the site: Years 1-2 foundation training and PG Certificate; Years 2-3 apply knowledge and Pre-EQE; Years 3-4 post-foundation training and PEB/EQE papers; full qualification after passing PEB FD1/FD4 and EQEs A–D.

Academic Requirements: The firm recruits strongly from STEM backgrounds: electronics, engineering, physics, computer science, biotechnology, chemistry and related disciplines. Advertised internship and trainee roles target motivated undergraduate or postgraduate STEM students (second year or above for internships).

Seat Options

Technology & Digital
Intellectual Property
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Commercial Contracts

Sponsorship

The firm provides study leave, in-house tutorials and funds or supports attendance on external courses relevant to patent qualification (for example the Certificate in IP Law at Queen Mary University). The firm is described as generous in paying for and allowing time for trainees to attend external courses.

Mentorship

On-the-job mentoring from one or several partners; the firm highlights one-to-one mentoring (rare in the IP sector) and structured in-house tutorial programmes. Trainees commonly work directly with partners and recently qualified attorneys who provide day-to-day support.

Apply on the D Young & Co website →

Programmes & Schemes

Patent open day (electronics, engineering, physics & computer science)

An annual open day that gives STEM undergraduates/postgraduates practical insight into life as a patent attorney. Attendees speak with team members (including partners), attend seminars and social activities, and learn about career paths in the firm.

Apply →

Easter patent internship and summer internship (electronics, engineering & IT)

Structured in two parts: an initial three-day Easter internship followed by an extended summer internship for a small number of successful participants. Activities include seminars, work shadowing, drafting and amendment exercises, meetings and social events. Exceptional interns may be offered trainee patent attorney positions based on performance.

Duration: 3 days (Easter) with an extended summer placement for selected participants

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Notable Matters

EPO oppositions and appeals (life sciences and chemistry)

Regularly represents both patentees and opponents before the European Patent Office Opposition Division and Technical Boards of Appeal, handling high-value and complex biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical patent oppositions and appeals.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Pan-European patent prosecution and portfolio management

Drafting, filing and worldwide prosecution of patent portfolios (European, UK, German, PCT and national filings) for multinational clients, coordinated alongside overseas agents and including attorney-guided specialist patent searches and portfolio audits.

Intellectual Property

UPC representation, infringement and revocation work

Advises on unitary patent strategy and provides representation for infringement and revocation matters before the Unified Patent Court, drawing on contentious experience across European courts and the EPO.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Trade mark prosecution and multi-jurisdictional brand disputes

Conducts trade mark clearance, global filing and enforcement, opposition and cancellation actions, and multi-jurisdictional brand disputes for corporate and consumer-facing clients including complex coordination across Europe.

Intellectual Property

What D Young & Co Looks For

Key Competencies

Strong technical background (STEM degree: electronics, engineering, physics, computer science, biotechnology, chemistry)
Analytical problem-solving
Clear written and verbal communication
Teamwork and collaboration
Commercial awareness and practical problem-solving
Motivation and resilience for demanding professional exams

Evidence Signals

Relevant technical internships or laboratory experience
Participation in patent-related internships or open days
Demonstrable commercial awareness and client-facing examples
Evidence of teamwork and clear written communication (e.g. technical reports, dissertations)
Evidence of commitment to IP (attendance at events, IP-related courses)

Benefits & Wellbeing

Study leave and preparation support for patent qualification (in-house tutorials and external course funding such as Certificate in IP Law at Queen Mary)
On-the-job mentoring from partners and access to recently-qualified attorneys for support
Structured internship programme feeding into trainee recruitment
Mental health first aid scheme (twelve partners and employees trained as mental health first aiders)
Regular social events (barbecues, charity runs, well-known Christmas party)
International office choice (London city environment, Munich city, Southampton coastal/location options)
Attorney-guided specialist patent searching services and access to technical expertise

Wellbeing

Mental health first aid scheme with twelve trained partners and employees; emphasis on building trust and safe spaces and on encouraging staff to speak openly to supervisors about wellbeing.

Awards & Recognition

Top tier rankings from Chambers UK (top tier)
IAM Patent 1000 (top-tier listings)
Managing Intellectual Property / IP Stars recognitions
The Legal 500 (firm praised for training and top-tier rankings)
World Trademark Review 1000
UK Trademark Prosecution (Patent & Trademark Attorney Firms) award 2024
UK trade mark firm of the year 2017 (Managing IP EMEA Awards)
UK Trademark Attorney Firm of the Year 2019 (Global IP Awards / WTR & IAM)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Firm Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy applies to all employees and partners; the firm is an original charter signatory of IP Inclusive and several partners have signed the IP Inclusive Leaders' Pledge demonstrating senior-level commitment to D&I.

IP Inclusive (original charter signatory)
IP Inclusive Leaders' Pledge (several partners have signed)
British Science Association (supporter)
In2Science (sponsor of five students from low income/disadvantaged backgrounds)
IP Ability (engagement and committee participation)
Women in IP (regular attendance and participation)
EqualEngineers (participation and sponsorship of events)
Careers In Ideas (financial donation and support)
STEM awareness activities and Inspirational Innovators series
Mental Health First Aid Scheme (twelve trained first aiders)

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

Emphasise your STEM technical depth (electronics/engineering/IT or life sciences/chemistry) — the firm recruits heavily from these disciplines and gives early responsibility on technically complex cases.
Reference the firm’s EPO/UPC expertise and experience with EPO oppositions and cross-border European litigation when demonstrating commercial awareness and why you want to join their patent or contentious teams.
If you have attended patent internships, open days or the firm’s Easter internship, highlight specific tasks (drafting/amendment work, case analysis) and outcomes — the firm uses its internship as a direct route into trainee roles.
Mention engagement with diversity and inclusion initiatives (IP Inclusive, In2Science, Women in IP or IP Ability) — the firm actively promotes and participates in these programmes and senior partners have signed the Leaders' Pledge.
Show awareness of the firm’s training support (in-house tutorials, study leave and funded external courses such as the Queen Mary Certificate in IP Law) and explain how you would use that support to succeed in the patent qualification pathway.