Finance Monthly Global Awards 2019 Edition

Finance Monthly Global Awards 2019 www.finance-monthly.com 17 GERMANY for a number of well-known brands. During those years, I also had the opportunity to work on incredibly interesting and prestigious patent and utility model litigation cases. That is where I made the link between non- technical and technical protection and I became a “true” IP attorney. Another milestone at the very beginning of my career was my in-house position at Merchandising Media GmbH / ProSiebenSat.1 AG, a German TV station and merchandising company. Heading the art licensing and IP department at a multi-national company significantly broadened my horizon and understanding - especially with respect to business issues on a global basis. However, what to a large extent supported my career and makes it possible to work on an international basis are probably my language skills. In this respect I was quite fortunate. My father was a chemist and an exchange scientist in the United States for a total of six years. As my parents always valued education very highly, they encouraged me to grow up bilingual in German and English. What three things are needed to be a successful IP lawyer? Expert knowledge in the IP field, understanding clients’ and their business needs – and PASSION! The ability to listen to clients’ needs, strong communication and language skills as well as “thinking out of the box” are talents I believe are important, too. A good IP attorney works with clients proactively - not just when problems arise. The “real” work is done beforehand. The number one focus should be on building excellent client relationships by visiting the client, being an integral part of their plans, and developing strategies in respect of new ideas. The client does not want to hear from the attorney: “That does not work”. The client wants solutions to the questions: ‘What are the options?’, ‘What will work?’ and, for the lawyer to truthfully advise the client on potential risks. What does your daily work involve? What markets and clients do you represent? The daily work of an IP attorney is very demanding as our clients come from all around the world: USA, Canada, Brazil, Australia, China, Japan, India, France, Switzerland, UK etc. - and of course, Germany. Every client and each case is different. New issues pop up unexpectedly and often need immediate attention and extra hours. Mission-critical deadlines must be met while nurturing client relationships in different time zones and countries. LexDellmeier represents clients from different industries, such as from the cosmetic and fashion industry, automotive, high-tech and pharmaceutical sector, etc. Therefore, our IP team consists of branding and design experts, attorneys at law, as well as translators. We very much enjoy tackling such daily challenges and perform our work with passion. Being actively involved at the “birth” of an idea, product and cutting-edge technology and working internationally with people of different cultural backgrounds and different laws makes our work and profession exciting, challenging and rewarding. FIRM PROFILE Experienced – Innovative – Client-oriented – LexDellmeier offers innovative and creative in-depth IP counselling in Germany and throughout Europe. The attorneys-at-law at LexDellmeier IP Law Firm offer first-class expertise in the fields of trademark, design and copyright law, as well as licensing and IP related unfair competition law. The range of the firm’s activities reaches from prosecution, appeals, and revocation/nullity proceedings to litigation before the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European General Court (GC), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and all German courts. The firm represents large and medium sized corporations, as well as individuals based in Europe, the Americas and Asia. It has thus developed an international network of associates with whom it cooperates on a worldwide basis in the field of IP prosecution and litigation. Strategic thinking, planning and protecting IP rights beyond country borders are of major importance in this globalised world and are the basis of its clients’ success. The firm takes pride in planning, creating, maintaining and reviewing its clients’ IP portfolios. And, if IP rights are ever violated or challenged, the client has with LexDellmeier a coordinated team of experts that can handle complex litigation to defend and enforce a company’s valuable IP rights. Knowledge – Power – Success – LexDellmeier believes that knowledge is power – the basis of its clients’ success. Q Q www.lexdellmeier.com