Influential Women in IP Class of 2019: Laura Collada

Why did you become a lawyer?

I decided to become a lawyer when I was nine years old. I admired a friend of my parents very much. He was one of the great criminal lawyers in Mexico and I loved hearing him talk about his cases and about justice.

I started law school having a very idealistic concept of law. Obviously studies and work changed that, but I could never have been anything else.

How did you become managing partner of Dumont?

When I was still at law school, I became an intern at the Mexican Patent and Trademark Office (IMPI) and fell in love with the field. When I finished school, I began work at an IP firm for a time. Later, and because it came with the territory, I worked on international trade but missed IP dearly.

I returned to work at IMPI, a job which I loved and helped me learn so much. After that, I was hired by Dumont to establish the IP litigation department and, ten years later, I became the managing partner. It has been an amazing journey.

What’s your biggest achievement?

Dumont has been in the market for 80 years but it used to be a family firm. I was able to change that and today we are a corporate firm in which the Dumont family serves as an influence and an inspiration. I was able to modernise the firm in many aspects, from creating a digital environment to certifying the firm under international standards.

What’s the best part about your job?

IP is fun! I love that in this field you deal with so many areas of knowledge and innovation, as well as with trademarks across many fields, including luxury, entertainment, sports, and food.