Page published on 22nd March 2024
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International Women’s Day
This year for International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, the Women in IP committee heard from inspiring women across the UK and the industry on what it means to “Inspire Inclusion” (this year’s theme). They also focused on the UN’s theme of “Invest in Women – Accelerate Progress”. Throughout the week they spotlighted women with a variety of roles and career paths.
The first spotlight was on Catherine French – IP Inclusive North of England and Women in IP Committees, Director and Head of the Patent and Trade Mark Division within Sacco Mann.
📣 What do you think is the key to inclusion at work?
💬 Being in an environment which encourages everyone being able to bring their whole selves to work.
💬 Leading by example as both an employer and a recruitment consultant to taking a bespoke approach to providing a work environment which encourages everyone to bring their whole self to work. This of course requires a balance between people’s personal as well as professional needs alongside those of the business they’re working in, but when that balance is right, it allows everyone to be the best version of themselves, which in turn provides maximum benefit to the business.
📣 What changes have you seen in the sector which help in including everyone in the workplace?
💬 We have seen a significant shift in creative thinking from employers across the IP and legal professions in recent years.
💬 Alongside an increasing focus on the importance of workplace wellbeing and a variety in benefits to suit the requirements of different employees at different stages of life and career, the advent of hybrid working has been a game changer in allowing people to work when, how and where they can be at their most productive. There is still work to do and for any self-respecting employer, there always should be a plan to keep reviewing existing policies and practices, not just to attract and retain staff, but to enable them to continue to deliver the very best of themselves as both they, and working practices, continue to evolve.
💬 For me, inclusion and diversity go hand in hand (to quote Monty Python, “we are all individuals”!). Inspiring inclusion, taking that bespoke approach to ensure everyone can bring their whole self to work, inspires diversity, with all the rich rewards that brings in playing to the maximum variety of different people’s strengths and experiences.
Next, Women in IP were delighted to spotlight Kimberley MacNeil, Associate at Brodies LLP.
📣 What/who inspired you to enter the IP profession?
💬 As a newly qualified solicitor I worked with a female partner who encouraged me to get involved in some IP matters she had been working on. She gave lots of support, plenty of space and always expressed confidence in my ability – so much so that I was soon comfortable handling those matters (almost!) independently. I don’t think either of us thought much about it at the time but it was this that sparked my interest in IP.
📣 If you were to give one piece of advice to anyone looking to make people feel included in the profession, what would it be?
💬 Be kind. I think sometimes the smallest acts can have the biggest impact and if you feel kindness from those around you, you’re more likely to feel comfortable and included.
📣 What small acts of inclusion can help women in the sector?
💬 Ask questions, actively seek out opinions and never make assumptions.
📣Do you have a book/film/podcast suggestion for our members about EDI?
💬 This likely won’t be a new recommendation but I’d say the Guilty Feminist podcast – the host, Deborah Frances-White, is great at addressing difficult topics with grace and humour!
Women in IP next spoke with Annsley Ward, IP & Trade Secrets Litigation Partner at WilmerHale.
📣What/who inspired you to enter the IP profession?
💬 My mom. I was studying Chemical Engineering as a preparatory step before going to Med School to become a doctor. Knowing that I loved the sciences and the arts, she suggested instead I pivot to Law School and become an IP lawyer. Her reasoning was that I could use the best of both my left and right brain and have a career where I was always learning and using both the analytical and creative and communication skills required in this job. Mothers are always correct.
📣 Can you give us any examples of how you’ve overcome challenges during your career?
💬 Although I have spent most of my life in the UK, I still have an American accent and an Americanness about me. Couple that with often being the only woman in a room of English men, I felt I had to work that much harder to demonstrate I understood the material, knew more than others in the room and should be taken seriously. Preparation was key. Although the burden on women, and more significantly women of colour, of needing to be better prepared than men to be taken more seriously is great (and should be unnecessary), it has been the most effective. I hope that, now, in a leadership position I am creating an environment whereby everyone and their contributions are taken seriously and no one has to fight to be listened to.
📣 The UN theme for this year is Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. Can you think of an experience in your career where this has been shown successfully?
💬 The ChIPs Network has been championing investment in women for over 15 years. We recognize that to accelerate the progress of women in tech, law and policy we need to ensure that women decision makers are investing in other women – whether that means instructing women partners on an important patent litigation case, or supporting a woman’s candidacy for a judicial office or policy post. Making sure we are thoughtful and proactive in investing in women is critical to the acceleration of innovation and diversity, equity and inclusion – which benefits us all.
📣 Do you have a book/film/podcast suggestion for our members?
💬 Wiser Than Me – with Julia Louis Dreyfus. Julia interviews incredible older women like Jane Fonda and Amy Tan on their life, their losses and the wisdom they obtained along the way. It shines a light on the incredible value of older women’s experience and wisdom – something society needs to be much better of recognizing and valuing.
Lastly, Women in IP spoke to Rina Sond – IP Legal Consultant.
📣What/who inspired you to enter the IP profession?
💬I got my first taste of IP law when working as a paralegal at Freshfields. I was inspired by the two strong female partners who led the team at the time, and other female senior solicitors who I worked with closely. I gained first hand experience dealing with trade mark work for global brands and knew this was the area in which I wanted to specialise.
📣If you were to give one piece of advice to anyone looking to make people feel included in the profession, what would it be?
💬Diversity is not just a tick box exercise. It has been proven that having a diverse workforce adds to the bottom line and increases innovation, which is imperative given the work IP lawyers do.
I would advise those looking to make others feel included to make a conscious effort to get to know their teams and be considerate of their needs. For example, by arranging meetings at times that suit everyone, giving everyone the opportunity to speak, arranging social events that don’t exclude people, and so on.
📣What small acts of inclusion can help women in the sector?
💬Actively seek women’s input in meetings. Some can lack the self confidence to speak up, or may simply process information differently, and so it can be helpful to seek suggestions after those meetings via email.
Being vocal about women’s needs, particularly in male dominated working environments. It is only by addressing our needs that these can be met.
📣Do you have a book/film/podcast suggestion for our members about EDI (doesn’t need to be IP specific)? This was discussed in our call.
💬Invisible Women – Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado Perez. This was an eye opening read about gender bias and the ‘gender data gap’. The book explains how deeply entrenched patterns of data are largely based on male behaviours and experiences and how they fail to cater for women’s needs. This can mean all sorts of everyday objects are designed for men, from the size of smartphones to seat belts being based on male bodies. These things can have a huge impact on women’s health and welfare, and such bias needs to stop.