Career series: Susi Fish, IP Inclusive

Tell us about the course of your career.

When I finished my PhD in biomedical/medical engineering at the University of Leeds, I was ready for a new challenge. I considered doing a law conversion course, but a family friend asked whether I’d considered becoming a patent attorney—at that time I had no idea what that even was. I’m so grateful he made that comment because more than 20 years later I’m still happily working as exactly that.

After I found a training position, I worked to become qualified according to UK and European Patent Office (EPO) standards. I was glad I didn’t know quite what that would entail when I first started as it was extremely demanding—but it was worth it in the end.

A few years after qualification I had my children and made the decision to work three days a week. Then, when my youngest was about to start school, I took on more hours and, in time, became a partner.

I love the technical aspect of being a patent attorney but have been lucky enough to find other roles that have stretched and challenged me too.

I now juggle—in no particular order—fee earning work, client management, leading our fantastic team of administrative assistants who manage the grant and validation stage of European patents, and supporting Boult Wade Tennant’s diversity and inclusivity (D&I) initiatives.

I am an active member of IP Inclusive, co-leading its Women in IP committee. I’ve recently joined the UK Intellectual Property Office’s D&I committee.

Outline a typical day in your role.

Here is a snapshot of my ideal typical day—I would start with my “open day” checklist, which covers a few tasks I like to get done first thing. These include checking my (and my team’s) dockets, emails, my daily schedule and ensuring that the priorities I set out the day before are still relevant.

I’ll also spend a small amount of time checking in with contacts, sending emails or reviewing LinkedIn.

Ideally, I’ll then spend at least two hours focused on priority one for the day. This could be a response to an office action, a piece of strategy work for my team or reviewing documents and making notes for an opposition hearing.

Then it’s time to grab a coffee and have a chat with someone if they’re around (virtually at the moment), before heading back for another period of focus time before lunch.