Five minutes with … Anna King, Banner Witcoff

Welcome to the latest instalment of Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, where we learn more about IP lawyers and professionals on a personal as well as a professional level. This time we have Anna King, attorney at Banner Witcoff in Chicago.

Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?

I say I’m a trademark attorney. They usually follow up asking about patent or copyright issues and I explain the difference as their eyes glaze over.

Talk us through a typical working day.

I am constantly responding to client and team emails, then I try to clear space to work on substantive matters that need more focused attention. I usually have about three to four client calls sprinkled in and am also juggling invoice approval and bills for clients.

What are you working on at the moment?

A district court litigation, trademark portfolio counselling and maintenance, and a new client intake.

Does one big piece of work usually take priority or are you juggling multiple things?

I am generally juggling many tasks.

What is the most exciting aspect of your role and what is the most stressful?

The most exciting aspect is to dissect issues and be able to provide helpful counselling and strategy either to our internal teams or clients. The most stressful is dealing with billing issues.

Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.

I think in my practice in particular you need to be able to balance many matters at the same time. You really need to stay organised.

What is the most common misconception about IP?

That it’s boring!

What or who inspires you?

Other working mums. When I have to miss a family event or sport I have to remember all of the other working mums out there showing their kids what we’re all capable of.

If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?

Fitness instructor.

Any advice you would give your younger self?

Slow down and take things less seriously.