The Summer Law Clerk Program has been our primary source of new associates for many years.
The program is open to first-year and second-year law students of all backgrounds and is designed to provide a stimulating and diverse educational experience for exceptional law students nationwide. Clerks are given significant projects and work closely with the assigning attorney. In many ways, these work projects are similar to those given to new associates.
We believe it is imperative for clerks to understand both the prosecution and litigation aspects of intellectual property law; as a result, clerks are strongly encouraged to delve into both areas during the summer. Evaluations are conducted mid-summer and at summer’s end.
Our weekly In-House Training Program is designed to provide exposure to as many practice areas as possible. Summer law clerks are also invited to attend the monthly practice group meetings as well as the attorney training seminars.
Exciting social events (on large, small, formal and informal scales) are planned throughout the summer. It is during the social events that many of the future professional relationships are founded and long-lasting friendships are formed.
Associate Training Program
Specific training is tailored for associates to provide opportunities to obtain a variety of work, discuss firm issues, network and begin building a successful practice. Formal and informal training is provided, and our Mentor program is designed to give associates guidance as their careers develop and mature. Associates are encouraged to participate and achieve leadership positions in professional associations. Your work assignments will range broadly and cover issues such as patent protection, trademark infringement, copyright licensing and more.
Working at M&G
Every firm has its own unique culture…conservative…casual…competitive. The list goes on.
Ours is about innovation.
Despite the size of our firm, Merchant & Gould is a place that fosters a friendly, collaborative atmosphere where attorneys at all levels of seniority freely exchange ideas about various legal issues and mentor each other in their work. Our culture provides both an intellectually stimulating and challenging environment designed to help us deliver the best possible service to clients nationwide. This environment also lends itself to developing the kind of close personal relationships typically found only in smaller firms – friendships that extend well beyond the walls of any office.
New associates at M&G are strongly encouraged to expand their interests and to understand the nature of the firm’s various practice areas, including patent interferences and trademark litigation. Coupled with our training programs, the experience gained from exposure to such a broad base of IP concerns helps to develop new attorneys into well-rounded intellectual property law practitioners, whatever their ultimate choice of specialization may be.
Above all, we believe in the premise that if you are striving to deliver high-caliber services to clients – striving to develop high-caliber attorneys is not an option. It’s something you have to do.
Practice Overview
- Several U.S. office locations.
- Nearly 100 attorneys.
- 50% intellectual property litigation, including trials and appeals, in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
- 50% prosecution, licensing, maintaining and counseling relative to intellectual property matters both nationally and internationally.
- Complex and sophisticated legal practice in all facets of intellectual property law.
- Legal services for existing and emerging businesses specializing in high technology products and services.
- Utilization of the latest technology for conferencing and collaboration among colleagues and clients nationwide.
- Utilization of the latest technology for computer research and staff support