Class of 2021: Making a difference

DENISE BENZ

Senior associate, Allen & Overy (Germany), WIPR Trailblazer

What attracted you to a career in IP?

I was already interested in technology as a young adult and considered taking a technical degree after my legal education. Instead, I learned about the work of a patent litigator during a workshop and quickly realised that I could combine my interest in cutting-edge technologies and legal argumentation in this field.

I find it exciting to explore the complex technologies that we encounter in our everyday lives in the form of patents—and to dig into these technologies combined with creative and convincing legal arguments in court.

What are the major issues facing women in law?

One of the issues for women in law is that the number of brilliant female lawyers is not reflected in the profession’s leadership ranks. This varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and is particularly pertinent in Germany. There are many reasons for this, ranging from social conventions to personal circumstances and entrenched stereotypes.

Another issue is that we work in what is still a male-dominated field. Men and women are different—especially when it comes to their style of working and communication. For many women, engaging with these differences in certain situations or adapting to them, while remaining authentic, can be challenging.

These issues also offer women opportunities, thanks to the current efforts in the field of gender diversity, including those at Allen & Overy. More women have the opportunity to actively participate in and contribute to new developments and are becoming more visible.