Christina Lee, Windsor Law Student, JD 2026, & LTEC Lab Research Assistant
October 28th 2024
On October 4th, IPIC Emerging Leaders Committee hosted a thought-provoking webinar on careers in Intellectual Property (IP) law. This event attracted law students and aspiring legal professionals eager to learn more about the dynamic world of IP. With a panel of expert speakers from IPIC, the session covered essential topics, from the foundations of IP to practical career advice for breaking into the field. The panel provided a well-rounded perspective on the various pathways within IP law and the skills needed to succeed in this ever-evolving sector.
The panel featured expert speakers, including Ahmed Elmallah, Associate, Patent Agent, and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Canada; Jahdiel Larraguibel, Associate at Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP; and Bushra Amir Ali, Lawyer specializing in Trademarks, Copyright, and IP Agreements at Shift Law. Anna Maria Decia-Gualteri, Director of Career Services at Windsor Law, was also in attendance, who was there to guide and support students on their journey into IP law.
A Primer on Intellectual Property
The webinar kicked off with an introduction to the basics of intellectual property law. IP law governs intangible assets, granting creators and businesses the exclusive right to control and protect their innovations. The four main types of IP rights discussed were:
Trademarks: Protect brand identities, such as logos and slogans. The Canadian Trademarks Act, RSC 1985 c T-13 has been updated to include non-traditional marks like colors and smells.
Copyrights: Safeguard the expression of creative works, whether it be literature, music, or software and are governed by the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42. Unlike patents, copyrights automatically exist upon creation and last for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Patents: Protect inventions, giving inventors exclusive rights to their creations for up to 20 years under the Patent Act, RSC, 1985, c P-4. This is a vital area of law for industries such as pharmaceutical companies, where new developments need to be shielded from competitors.
Trade Secrets: Secure confidential business information, such as formulas or manufacturing processes, that give a company a competitive edge. These are primarily protected through contractual agreements and common law torts.
The importance of IP law cannot be overstated. It provides the legal framework that allows businesses and creators to maintain control over their innovations and prevent others from infringing upon their rights. Since IP law is territorial—meaning protections must be applied for in each jurisdiction—it plays a critical role in shaping global business strategies.
Fireside Chat with Industry Leaders
One of the most exciting aspects of the webinar was the fireside chat, which allowed participants to get up close and personal with three industry leaders who shared their career journeys, challenges, and advice for breaking into the field of IP law. This interactive portion of the event brought a personal touch, offering attendees a chance to hear firsthand about life as an IP lawyer.
Jahdiel Larraguibel (Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP) provided a deep dive into his experience with patent litigation, focusing on the pharmaceutical industry. He described patent disputes as high-stake legal confrontations, often involving large corporations and complex legal battles. Jahdiel emphasized the intricacies of litigating patents in life sciences, noting that many of these cases are settled long before reaching trial, though they still require meticulous preparation and significant financial investment.
Ahmed Elmallah (Bennett Jones LLP) offered valuable insights into his dual role as a lawyer and patent agent. His work focuses on patent prosecution—securing and maintaining patents for clients. Ahmed stressed the importance of a strong technical background in this area, explaining that patent lawyers often need deep knowledge of the subject matter they’re dealing with, especially when drafting applications and navigating the examination process. For those interested in this path, he highlighted the rewarding nature of helping clients turn ideas into protected assets and strategies for monetizing their IP portfolios.
Bushra Amir Ali (Shift Law) provided an in-depth look into trademark law. She discussed how she helps clients protect and enforce their brands through both prosecution and litigation. Bushra’s advice was particularly insightful for those interested in strategic IP management—she explained the importance of clear, proactive legal guidance to help businesses avoid disputes and protect their trademarks long before litigation becomes necessary. She also discussed the growing complexity of trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, underscoring the need for vigilance in maintaining and defending trademarks in Canada.
Getting to Know the IP Lawyers
Beyond the professional advice, the fireside chat also allowed attendees to get a sense of what it’s like to work in IP law on a day-to-day basis. Each speaker took time to reflect on their personal career paths and how they ended up specializing in IP law.
For Jahdiel, the combination of his technical background and interest in litigation made patent disputes an obvious fit. He shared how working in high-stakes patent litigation requires not only legal expertise but also collaboration with technical experts, which keeps the work intellectually stimulating.
Ahmed’s dual role as both a lawyer and patent agent gave him a unique perspective on the patent prosecution process. He recounted how his love for problem-solving and passion for innovation led him to pursue a career in IP law, emphasizing that his technical background in engineering played a pivotal role in shaping his practice.
Bushra’s journey into trademark law was driven by her fascination with branding and how businesses build their identities. She explained how trademark litigation often involves creative problem-solving, from sending demand letters to resolving disputes through the courts. Bushra also discussed how her work intersects with other areas of IP, such as copyright and design law, which keeps her practice varied and engaging.
The panelists made it clear that while technical backgrounds are essential in areas like patent prosecution, IP law offers many pathways for those with different skills and interests. Trademark and copyright law, for instance, are more accessible to legal professionals without a STEM background, making the field open to a wide range of legal practitioners.
Interactive Q&A Session
The interactive Q&A session allowed attendees to pose questions directly to the panelists. One of the most frequently asked questions was whether a technical background is essential for a career in IP law. The consensus was that while a technical background is essential for areas like patents and trade secrets, it’s less critical for copyright and trademarks. In these fields, legal acumen and a strong grasp of intellectual property principles are more valuable, especially when a science background is not present. Additionally, they emphasized the value of showing enthusiasm for IP law by getting involved in related activities on campus or even creating your own initiatives related to IP law.
Another popular question revolved around the differences between working in boutique firms versus full-service firms. The panelists explained that boutique firms often provide specialized environments where lawyers can hone their expertise in specific areas of IP law, while full-service firms offer broader opportunities and exposure to a wider variety of legal issues.
Acknowledgments
Windsor Law LTEC Lab (www.lteclab.com) extends its sincere thanks to our distinguished speakers—Jahdiel Larraguibel, Ahmed Elmallah, and Bushra Amir Ali—for their time and insights. Their willingness to share personal career journeys and practical advice made this event both informative and inspiring. We also thank the IPIC Emerging Leaders Committee for organizing and facilitating such a valuable session. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Windsor Law’s Career Services, and especially to Director Anna Maria Decia-Gualteri, for her ongoing support and dedication to guiding students in their exploration of IP law and career development.
Conclusion
The IPIC webinar provided a fascinating glimpse into the diverse career paths available within IP law. Whether your interests lie in patent litigation, trademark prosecution, or the broader strategic management of IP portfolios, the field offers numerous opportunities for growth and specialization. As the demand for IP expertise continues to rise in our increasingly digital world, adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic thinking will be key to success in this exciting legal area.
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