University: University of Cambridge
Degree: Law
Year of qualification: 2022
Position: Associate
Department: IP

What was the moment or experience that made law feel like the right career for you?

I’ve always been passionate about fixing injustices. From a young age, I thought I wanted to be a human rights advocate, which is what first drew me towards studying law. At university, I was exposed to commercial law and realised I was also really interested in that area, particularly IP. I wanted to find a law firm that would allow me to combine those interests by doing meaningful pro bono work while also pursuing commercial law.

When you were deciding which firms to apply to, what were your non-negotiables?

There were three main things: international reach, practice areas and culture. I wanted a firm with a genuinely international outlook, including offices in locations such as the US, Middle East, Asia and Africa. I was also looking for strong practice areas in IP and competition law, rather than teams where those areas were only a small part of the wider offering. Finally, culture was really important. Law firms can look similar on paper, but speaking to lawyers at law fairs and careers events helped me understand where I’d feel valued and my strengths would best fit.

During your training contract, what advice or feedback changed how you worked?

My training contract started just before covid, so we moved fully remote in my second week. In my first seat in asset finance, my supervisor told me that although I was enthusiastic and driven, I needed to show that by being proactive. She explained that if an email came in with documents, she expected me to take ownership rather than wait to be given the task. That was a turning point. From then on, I made a conscious effort to pick things up, drive matters forward, follow up where needed and seek instructions when appropriate. It taught me the importance of taking ownership early in your career.

Can you outline your area of expertise and what your day-to-day work involves?

My work as an IP lawyer covers a range of different areas, but I mainly specialise in trademarks. I also do some copyright and designs work, although most of my day-to-day role is focused on advising clients on how to protect and manage their brands.

A typical day might involve trademark clearance work, which is a big part of my job. For example, a client may want to launch a new product feature or a new title for entertainment content and ask us to carry out an initial analysis of whether that name is available to use. We then assess whether it’s likely to be a high or low-risk name from a trademark perspective.

Another important part of my work is helping to protect clients’ existing trademark rights. We represent both major brands and smaller brands, so this can involve monitoring new trademark applications and considering whether anything that’s been filed is the same as, or similar to, one of our clients’ names. If we’re concerned, we may take action or send letters where necessary to protect the client’s position.

That protection is important because trademarks are valuable assets. Some of the world’s most valuable brands invest millions in building and maintaining their brands, so a key part of my role is helping to make sure that investment remains secure.  Alongside this, I also support colleagues with standalone IP queries and work on anti-counterfeiting matters, particularly where clients are dealing with products that may infringe their rights.

Why did you choose IP law?

Initially, it came from my love of music and my interest in the entertainment sector. At university, I chose an IP module and became increasingly interested in copyright, brands, patents and the way the law protects creative work. Although IP protects intangible rights, for me it feels like one of the most tangible areas of law because it’s everywhere: in the brands you wear, the TV you watch, the shops you pass and the creative content you consume. That relatability, and the connection with creativity, is what drew me to IP.

What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of life as a lawyer?

One challenge is learning that legal advice isn’t always a simple yes or no answer. You have to be comfortable advising clients based on the facts, the law and the risks, even where there’s uncertainty. Another challenge is the need for flexibility, particularly at an international firm where clients may be in different time zones.

The rewarding side is that you learn something new every day. You also get to understand clients’ businesses and sectors, which helps you think commercially rather than purely legally. There are so many opportunities to develop, take ownership and build your own expertise.

What does Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP do differently from other firms?

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius feels very closely knit. I know colleagues across departments and offices, and there’s a real focus on working as one firm. One example is the firm’s investment in academies and conferences for lawyers at different stages of their careers. Newly qualified lawyers and lateral hires attend the New Lawyer Academy in the US, where they meet peers from across the firm’s global offices. These connections help lawyers collaborate better and build a stronger understanding of colleagues around the world.

What part of the job do aspiring lawyers tend to underestimate?

I think aspiring lawyers can underestimate how much multitasking is involved. In IP, I might be busy on 30 different matters in one day, each with competing deadlines. That means organisation and prioritisation are essential. You need to be able to identify what is urgent, structure your day and communicate with your team so the work gets done in a way that works for everyone.

Since joining the firm, what is the biggest opportunity you feel you have been given?

The academies have been a major opportunity because the firm invests heavily in your development and provides sessions designed to give you the tools to progress. I also attended INTA, the trademark conference and annual meeting, where I met several clients face to face. That was a great opportunity because many of our clients are based outside the UK, so meeting in person helped build stronger relationships. More generally, being trusted to correspond directly with clients and drive matters forward has been an important part of my development.

What’s the work-life balance like at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius?

It depends on factors such as department and time of year, but I don’t regularly work weekends. In my team, the work is relatively consistent. I usually work from around 9:30am to 6:30pm, then take a break and sometimes log back on in the evening because many clients are based in the US. There are times when I don’t need to log back on and there are other times when I need to spend longer at my laptop. It really varies depending on the work and the department.

How is technology changing the way you work?

Technology saves time, particularly on administrative tasks, which means lawyers can spend more time on substantive legal work and legal research. The firm invests in tools and platforms that help us access information more efficiently, analyse research and proofread work. AI tools can help ensure we’ve considered relevant developments and taken a broad view, but lawyers still need to apply their judgement and do the legal analysis.

What are you reading at the moment?

I recently finished Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. It’s about two sisters in France during the Second World War, and although it’s fictional, it gives you a sense of history as well as a female empowerment story. I really enjoyed it.