A trainee’s first year at HLK

Kenan Hamarsheh joined HLK in September 2023 as a trainee trade mark attorney. Read his reflections on his first year with the firm.

Get in touch

Kenan Hamarsheh | Connect on LinkedIn | khamarsheh@hlk-ip.com

September 2024 marked my one-year anniversary at HLK where, from my first day, I immediately felt welcomed and part of the team. It had been a year full of learning and development as a trainee trade mark attorney, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn directly from incredibly accomplished IP professionals.

Protecting brands

What I’ve enjoyed working on the most since I joined the firm is assisting our diverse set of clients to protect their brands. Each client matter presents a unique challenge and an opportunity to learn something new. Whether it’s conducting trade mark searches or assisting in opposition proceedings, every matter has contributed to my development in a different way. I’ve also enjoyed learning about different commercial sectors, and how enforcement strategy might differ depending on the field.

Additionally, the collaborative environment at HLK is something I really appreciate. Working alongside experienced attorneys and solicitors and learning directly from their expertise has been invaluable. Their guidance and mentorship have significantly improved my skills, and inspired me to continuously strive for excellence in the services we provide.

The HLK Academy

When I joined the firm, my perception of intellectual property (IP) was purely academic; I understood the law, but not how it’s applied in practice. Fortunately, the firm enrols its trainees in the HLK Academy, a unique year-long in-house training programme, designed to teach trainees practical IP skills in a classroom-based environment. The HLK Academy sessions were delivered by partners and other senior colleagues from across the firm, which provided an invaluable opportunity to learn first-hand from the very best IP professionals.

Alongside joining as part of a cohort of new trainees, the relaxed classroom-based environment of the HLK Academy genuinely eased my transition from university to the workplace, which can be difficult for incoming trainees. I was quickly able to meet many of my colleagues, as an integral part of the HLK Academy programme is participating in several HLK-organised socials. I remember being nervous when attending the first social, as it was during my first week and I was overwhelmed by the amount of new people to meet. That nervousness quickly evaporated, as my colleagues were ecstatic to meet me and my peers, the new cohort of trainees, which made me feel at ease.

HLK’s trainee attorneys, September 2023 intake

Another advantage of training at HLK is that you will never feel “thrown in at the deep end”. From the outset, trainees are given challenging tasks with adequate resources to help guide them to completion. Progressively, trainees receive more challenging tasks that correspond with the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired through work and the HLK Academy. Constructive feedback on tasks is regularly provided, and senior colleagues are always open to discussing it.

It was a great first year, and I am very thankful for all my colleagues who supported me through it.

What’s next?

I am looking forward to continuing my journey at HLK, and assisting the future cohorts of trainees to settle in.

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