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My interest in intellectual property was first sparked by a period of work experience during my law degree in the in-house legal department of a British defence avionics business. It was fascinating to me to learn about all of the different types of IP, the layers of individual rights and works, and how they all come together in a final complex product, such as a fighter aircraft. It was also interesting to experience the practical challenges of dealing with IP when working with multiple collaborator companies on complex projects.
I count myself lucky to have had my first exposure to the subject in a real-world context, as the experience showed me just how essential IP can be to a business commercially. From there on I made sure to opt for intellectual property related modules in my degrees and then looked for pathways into careers in intellectual property law.
One of the most interesting aspects of the role of trade mark attorney is the opportunity to work with such a vast range of different businesses and individuals. Every business has a brand, regardless of size, sector or industry. I am always learning something new. Seeing new brands develop from the kernel of an idea through to something which is actually available in the marketplace or that you can see on the shop shelf is very inspiring. Helping innovative individuals and businesses protect their intellectual creations is also very rewarding.
A large proportion of my practice is dispute resolution and advisory work, which I really enjoy. This can include, among other things, contentious opposition and cancellation proceedings before the UK, EU and overseas trade mark offices, domain name dispute resolution proceedings, litigation and preparation of settlement agreements. My work can involve coordinating numerous proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, working with trusted partners overseas where necessary.
I enjoy the intellectual and technical challenges of strategising, formulating arguments and curating evidence to ensure the best chances of success in contentious proceedings. Nothing beats getting a favourable decision for a client after working hard together on securing that outcome. However I also get great satisfaction from negotiating and resolving conflicts without contentious proceedings, where appropriate. Whether this results in a mutually beneficial solution or just saves time and costs for our clients, it lets our clients get back to focusing on what is most important to them; pursuing their business goals.
Outside of my work with Boult, I regularly undertake trade mark work on a pro bono basis for non-profit organisations. It’s a really rewarding way to utilise my skills in giving something back.