INTERVIEW

How did you learn about the Patent Attorney profession and what inspired you to become a (European) Patent Attorney?

After completing my Master's degree in Biochemistry, I was ready for a change and wanted to explore a different direction. That's when I found a great opportunity to do an internship in the IP Team of a big pharma company. Fortunately, I had an amazing supervisor who believed in my skills and supported me from day one. He took me under his wing and provided me with the guidance and mentorship I needed as a complete newcomer to the industry.

What really impressed me was that he didn't just give me busywork or keep me in the background. Instead, he took me with him to very important meetings and allowed me to speak on behalf of our team. This was a huge opportunity for me, and it was a real confidence boost which helped me to grow both personally and professionally.

I'm grateful to have had such a supportive supervisor who saw my potential and helped me to realize it. Even after more than 10 years, Dieter and I are still going for a beer every now and then.

Most people know that Patent Attorneys help clients obtain a patent. However, what other tasks are you responsible for? If you had to split your role into science, law, and business, what is the proportion of each?

While our team is primarily focused on IP, we work closely with other business functions such as sales, legal, and R&D. This cross-functional collaboration allows us to have a broader perspective and better support the company's overall strategy. Working closely with my colleagues from Team Legal has proven to be an invaluable collaboration that has significantly enhanced my work. Engaging in regular discussions and seeking their guidance has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of legal principles and their practical application in our industry. Together, we are able to navigate complex legal matters, ensuring compliance and mitigating potential risks. Comparing it to the very beginning of my career, the business-related proportion has increased drastically, while my curiosity for science always brings me back to the roots (= scientific questions).

What does the team structure at your workplace look like?

As the leader of a multinational team, I realized that communication and collaboration are key to our success. Despite the distance between team members, we maintain a strong connection through regular virtual team meetings and regular communication about our ongoing projects. We also take advantage of opportunities to meet in person, planning activities and team-building exercises to strengthen our bond as a team.

We consider ourselves a team that extends beyond just the IP department and are committed to working together to achieve our common goals. Sulzer fosters an environment of trust and support where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and contribute to the success of the company.

What does your average workday look like?

Expect the unexpected! My job is unique in that every day is different, and that's what I love about it. Working at Sulzer means working in a very dynamic environment, which brings a variety of strategic questions and am often sought out by colleagues from different divisions for advice. One day, I may be working on a patent application for a new technology, while the next day I may be analyzing a competitor's portfolio and developing strategies to counter their moves.

The variety in my work means that I am constantly facing new questions and challenges, which can be both exciting and challenging and helps me to continuously improve in different areas and expand my knowledge base.

Overall, my job is both challenging and rewarding, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work in a company which is constantly adapting to changes in the market and developing innovative solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

What would a dream workday as a (European) Patent Attorney look like for you?

FTOs without critical findings and motivated inventors that convince me of their brilliant ideas :-)

What is the most exciting aspect of being a (European) Patent Attorney for you?

Being a patent attorney is more than just the technical aspects of the job, it's about being a trusted advisor and consultant for the business. One of the most exciting things about my job is the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects such as M&A activities and licensing business. These projects require me to work closely with colleagues from different departments and stakeholders inside and outside the company, which keeps me on my toes and constantly challenges me. It's rewarding to be able to contribute to the long-term success of Sulzer and to see the impact of my work on the business. Overall, the dynamic nature of the job and the variety of projects I work on make being a patent attorney both exciting and fulfilling.

What are your least favourite tasks?

Well, I have to say, the one thing I really don't like about my job is budgeting. As a scientist, I'm used to dealing with hard data and facts, not just making educated guesses about what might happen in the future.

Unfortunately, when it comes to budgeting, there's no crystal ball to tell us exactly what's going to happen. We have to make our best estimates and hope for the best. And let's be honest, sometimes those estimates don't quite pan out the way we had hoped.

But all joking aside, of course we do take budgeting seriously and I try to rely on my expertise and past experiences to make informed decisions.

Does your job allow you to have time for your hobbies? Do you have any side projects related to patents?

In my current role, I am fortunate to work for an employer that not only values my professional growth but also supports my personal interests and passions.

One of my biggest hobbies is sport, and I try to make time for it every day. Sometimes, when I'm really struggling with a challenging problem at work, taking a break to exercise can be just the thing I need to come back with a clearer head and renewed energy.

Another area that is particularly important to me is empowering women in the field of Intellectual Property and advocating for diversity and inclusion in Switzerland.

I am actively engaged in promoting these activities outside of my regular work hours, and I am grateful for the understanding and encouragement I have received from my employer. Furthermore, Sulzer is very supportive by providing me with a platform to also raise awareness internally. Knowing that the company shares these values and actively encourages such initiatives creates a truly positive and fulfilling work environment. I am grateful for the support I receive, as it reinforces my passion for this important topic and motivates me to continue my efforts.

If you could start your career over, would you change anything?

If I could start my career all over, I wouldn't change much because every mistake and failure helped me learn and grow to become the professional I am today. However, if there was one thing I could change, it would be to become more confident in my appearance. As a young professional, I sometimes lacked the confidence to speak up before senior management and defend my position. Looking back, I wish I had trusted myself more and had the courage to be more assertive. If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to be more confident and believe in yourself.

If the Patent Attorney profession suddenly disappeared tomorrow, what else would you do?

If our profession suddenly disappeared tomorrow, it would certainly be a shock, but I believe that my skills and experience would be transferable to other areas. In particular, I have developed a passion for helping businesses achieve their long-term goals through strategic decision-making, and I believe that my background in intellectual property would be valuable in a variety of consulting roles.

What advice would you give someone that wants to become a European Patent Attorney?

Well, first off, I would say that if you're looking for a quick and easy path to becoming a European Patent Attorney, you might want to reconsider. It's a challenging and demanding profession that requires a lot of hard work and dedication.

But if you're up for the challenge, my advice would be to take things one step at a time. Don't try to rush the process or get ahead of yourself. Every small success along the way is a reason to celebrate and be proud of yourself.

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor!

What do you think about the future outlook of our profession?

I think that AI is already having a significant impact on the role of patent attorneys, and I believe that this trend will continue in the future. With the amount of data that we now have access to, it's essential that patent attorneys are able to leverage AI tools to help them manage and analyze this data effectively.

That being said, I also believe that there are certain aspects of the job that AI will never be able to replace. For example, the ability to read and interpret human speech, gestures, and facial expressions is critical when it comes to negotiating and convincing. AI might be able to process large amounts of data quickly, but it will never (?) be able to replace the nuances and subtleties of human communication.