CLASS OF 2021
Making a difference
Diversity and inclusion are core values at law firm Allen & Overy and three of its attorneys have each achieved well-earned spots on WIPR’s 2021 Diversity Champions, Influential Women in IP and Trailblazer lists. We caught up with the pioneering trio to find more about what drives their passion for progress.
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.
“It’s important for women to have confidence in our own abilities and expertise, and to not shy away from making them clear to the outside world.”
Have you experienced any barriers related to being a woman in IP?
I have not perceived any of the experiences in my career as setbacks or barriers. I look at them as challenges and potential for growth. It can be a challenge to be the only woman in a meeting or courtroom in a room full of men and I know that many of my female colleagues—and in other areas of law—experience the same.
I had one experience in which a male lawyer in a courtroom constantly interrupted me when I was pleading—and did not do so when my male colleagues were speaking. It’s important for women to have confidence in our own abilities and expertise, and to not shy away from making them clear to the outside world. Addressing certain issues and asking for our leaders’ support in certain situations can also be valuable.
What initiatives are you involved in when it comes to promoting gender diversity in law?
I am part of our firm’s internal Women in IP working group, which aims to promote our female IP lawyers. I have launched a mentoring programme for young—predominantly female—IP lawyers, and I mentor younger female lawyers and law students outside of IP.
To me, being a role model and motivator for young female colleagues is extremely important and I speak on panels specifically for young female lawyers. I am also actively involved in a number of national and international women in law networks such as ChIPs.
Who or what inspires you?
Feeling a true sense of collaboration and support with the knowledge that we have the opportunity to actively drive change. I am inspired by the support I receive on my personal and professional journey from so many people—including people who hardly know me but still want to help me grow and move forwards.
That’s exactly what I want to pass on to others. We work in an environment today that offers so many opportunities to develop, evolve and pursue our goals and missions. We should never miss a chance to take them.
Denise Benz is a senior associate at Allen & Overy. She can be contacted at: denise.benz@allenovery.com
MARJAN NOOR
Partner, Allen & Overy (UK), Influential Women in IP
What attracted you to a career in IP?
I wanted to be a lawyer at school but had a misconception that you had to be extremely articulate, and strong in English, whereas I was always much better at— and more passionate about—science. I applied for medicine instead.
After doing Part 1 and an intercalated degree in pharmacology, I realised that I had been wrong, and that patent law would be perfect for me given that a large part of my work would still include science. I continue to love what I do and have never regretted the change.
What more needs to be done to promote diversity in the legal profession?
We need to keep reinforcing the message through our actions, for example when selecting the teams we put together for cases. A combination of different personalities, backgrounds, and strengths is what makes us excel—there is no set mould for a great lawyer.
The challenge we have is that until we have that diverse pool at all, and particularly senior, levels it is difficult to achieve this, and we risk losing people who don’t feel they fit in. Many people may end up having friends who share the same backgrounds, and the same can happen in the workplace with people gravitating towards those to whom they relate. But we need to be considerate of the differences in how we behave so that we don’t inadvertently exclude others.
”A combination of different personalities, backgrounds, and strengths is what makes us excel—there is no set mould for a great lawyer.”
Have you experienced any barriers specifically related to being from an ethnic minority background?
People have always been interested in and positive about my background. I came to England as a child with Iranian parents who had a different approach to many things. Consequently, I had less in common with my peers. It is always harder being in that environment, especially when you are younger.
As you become older and more senior in your role, those differences seem to affect you less. Having more people with different backgrounds also helps to address this issue.
How are you involved in promoting diversity?
I have a busy practice, and luckily a number of strong client relationships. So, I am in the fortunate position of being able to put into action every day steps that I believe can help promote diversity, for example through the teams I put together.
I have been a trainee supervisor throughout my career and have mentored a number of trainees with diverse backgrounds and shared my experiences with them.
What piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t get hung up focusing on the perceived “gaps” in yourself because of your background and instead focus on the many strengths that a different background provides that will stand you in good stead
Marjan Noor is a partner at Allen & Overy. She can be contacted at: marjan.noor@allenovery.com
DAVID STONE
Partner, Allen & Overy (UK), WIPR Diversity Champion
What attracted you to a career in IP?
It was serendipitous. I’d studied IP at university, and immediately afterwards worked for a year with a judge who specialised in IP. I’m so glad I ended up in this profession. I particularly love its international aspects, and the problem-solving.
Have you experienced any barriers specifically related to being part of the LGBT+ community?
I prefer to focus on the positives and how barriers are being overcome. The LGBT+ community is pretty good at supporting its members, and I’ve certainly met potential clients through organisations such as GLINTA—the LGBT+ wing of the International Trademark Association.
I think championing diversity and inclusion (D&I) also gives you additional clout with clients and by doing this, I have gained access to general counsel who might not otherwise have opened the door for an IP lawyer. Many businesses are struggling with the challenge of how to make their workplace more inclusive—so clients are often keen to have that discussion in addition to receiving advice on substantive legal topics.
What more needs to be done to promote LGBTQ rights in the legal profession?
We still have a long way to go before our profession fully represents the society it serves, in terms of gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality and social background. The UK does better than many countries, but I think we need to continue to come at the issue from every angle —education, mentoring and training, as well as sponsoring people from challenging socio-economic backgrounds from school age.
Most importantly, we need to re-examine what we mean by “merit”. It’s possible that the tools we use to assess entry to and promotion within law aren’t the only competencies that make good lawyers.
”Everyone’s circumstances are different, and understanding that is key. There’s no single way to come out—and it’s not something that LGBT+ people do only once.”
What advice would you offer to a lawyer experiencing difficulty with sexuality or gender identity?
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and understanding that is key. There’s no single way to come out—and it’s not something that LGBT+ people do only once. It’s often a daily decision centring on how much you want others to know, and whether it’s physically safe to do so.
Unfortunately, there are parts of the UK where a same-sex couple still can’t walk hand in hand. Be true to yourself, and to your instinctive sense of whom to trust when seeking help and support. There’s a lot of wisdom, experience and goodwill to be found among LGBT+ lawyers and allies: reach out for it in a way that feels right for you. You’re definitely not alone.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Early on in my career I had a tendency to worry—at some level, that’s what you want in a lawyer. But you don’t want it to stop you from being your best, or to kill the enjoyment of your practice.
My advice would be the same as I’d give any younger lawyer today: work hard, be kind, throw yourself into all that working in IP has to offer, including joining organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys, INTA, and Marques.
Read judgments as they come out, to be on top of cutting-edge legal developments, and try to give something back through pro bono work, for example. Above all, enjoy it.
David Stone is a partner and global head of IP at Allen & Overy. He can be contacted at: david.stone@allenovery.com
Image: Shutterstock / Ultrashock