1. Name
2. Title
Counsel
3. Location
Marblehead / Boston, MA
4. What IP matters do you assist clients with the most?
I primarily focus on trademark and copyright matters for our clients.
5. What are the biggest challenges facing your clients?
Dealing with online sales by third parties of counterfeit or gray market goods is an ongoing issue for many, as is trying to navigate the best approach to securing protection for their trademark portfolio in multiple jurisdictions.
6. What trends are you seeing in the industry?
Over the last few years, there seems to have been an uptick in mergers and acquisitions, which translates to keen attention on maintaining portfolios that are current and relevant to the business needs.
7. What excites you most about working with clients?
I am always intrigued by getting to know a client’s marketing approach and how it reacts and adapts to meet changing consumer interests.
8. How has IP work changed since you started practicing?
Glossing over how old this question makes me feel, online retail and social media as a marketing tool has transformed how one approaches trademark protection. Decisions are made fast. Marketing campaigns often have short lives but long consequences and what makes sense to protect and for how long is always in flux. It can also complicate the clearance process, as lead times are often very tight and the commitment to a particular trademark or slogan may seem short term, but then evolve into longer term if it hits with a particular segment.
9. What is your favorite aspect of your practice?
I like feeling as though I am seeing what is right around the corner and coming down the road in innovations and products.
10. What do you enjoy most about working at KDW?
Our clients are great and the environment of the firm is friendly and engaging.
11. What inspired your transition from Big Law to boutique?
Early in my career, I worked at larger boutiques and then a mid-sized regional general practice firm before moving in-house to a Fortune 10 company. One of the things that initially drew me in-house was the opportunity to be on the front line of decisions and seeing in real time how those decisions played out. When I decided to make a career change, the appeal of the small boutique was the sense that I would continue to have that level of visibility with clients that is typically not afforded to you when you are one of many lawyers servicing a firm client while also having more flexibility in my schedule. By joining KDW, I got the added bonus of working with colleagues from earlier in my career.
12. With women holding about 25 percent of roles at IP boutiques and women receiving far fewer degrees in engineering and computer science than men, what has your experience been like as a woman in IP law?
I have two older brothers and no sisters, and was one of only a handful of women in my undergraduate engineering program. Those two things, in a small way, gave me some preparation for working in field that remains male dominated, particularly at the senior/management level. That can be daunting and demotivating as you start out and look for inspirations to model for your own career path. I have been quite fortunate to have had strong women mentors throughout my career, as well as a great group of women colleagues/peers/friends who been phenomenal sounding boards and supporters through the lows and highs of my career.
12. What activities do you enjoy when you’re not at work?
I like hiking, traveling, spending time with family, and taking advantage of the beach every chance I can in the summer.