Five minutes with…Eszter Szakács, Danubia

Welcome to the latest instalment of Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, where we learn more about intellectual property practitioners on a personal and professional level. This time, we have Eszter Szakács, partner at Danubia in Hungary

I usually ask back: ‘What’s your guess?’ – because no one ever gets it right. Apparently, I don’t fit the typical lawyer stereotype. To be honest, becoming, and more importantly, staying, an attorney-at-law has felt like defying a few of those stereotypes myself.

One of the things I love about working in IP is how surprisingly versatile, creative, and genuinely entertaining the people in this field are, far from what I originally expected. It was one of the first lessons I learned when I started my career: don’t judge too quickly, and always keep an open mind.

A typical day has changed a lot through the phases of my career, and COVID was a big turning point. These days, I work mostly from home and go to the office a few times a week. I’m an early riser, often up around 5:30 or sooner. I love the quiet morning hours for planning my day or getting some focused work done. Then it’s the usual family logistics – school runs, food prep – and sometimes a workout (I do everything better in the morning).

Once the day starts, I plan around my meetings and try to schedule my ‘deep work’ for the morning or late morning – things like legal analysis or drafting that require real focus. Afternoons are usually more broken up with calls, admin, and shorter tasks and errands. On office days, I make time to catch up with colleagues. But no two days are the same.

I’m working on a patent preliminary injunction case that raises several complex questions, ranging from jurisdictional issues to interpretation of infringing acts. It’s a real legal mind game, which I enjoy. Later today, I am progressing with an opinion on a contentious pharma trademark matter – completely different issues but equally interesting.

If I still have time, I will work on a presentation on the junction of art and technology for the Licensing Executives Society International annual meeting.

Always juggling. That’s not always ideal, but I’ve come to work that way – I tend to want to make at least some progress on each matter rather than wait for an ideal big block of time (which has the habit of shrinking as you approach it). I like to get a sense of what the key issues are in a task and how long something might take, so I can start planning execution. I’m quite disciplined with my time, and that helps keep the juggling manageable. That said, some tasks require longer, undisturbed focus, especially when digesting new case materials or working out more complex arguments.

The most exciting part is the intellectual challenge that every case brings. I love how, although I am a simple lawyer, I get to learn a bit about so many technologies, from pharmaceutical formulations through batteries to agriculture. I recall one time earlier in my career, in the middle of a lawsuit, I found myself deeply immersed in the nuclear dictionary with a jar of Nutella at a late hour. I suddenly stopped and thought: ‘Wow, I would have never imagined this in law school!’

I love the international character of the work, both through cross-border cases and through my involvement in professional associations. Even though I work in a boutique firm in Hungary, I often feel like I have close colleagues (and many friends) all over the world.

The most stressful part? When deadlines converge unexpectedly, I am afraid the waves may crash over my head. That’s when all the time management and delegation skills come in handy. Or surprises at court hearings – although honestly, it keeps me sharp rather than stressed.

Curiosity, definitely. You need to open up to innovative technologies every day. Precision and clarity are key, whether in legal writing or court argument. But flexibility and empathy matter just as much – understanding your client’s needs, the business context, and the broader strategy. It is crucial to have and nurture soft skills, over time this becomes more and more important.

That it’s is just an ancillary question in a business. IP impacts businesses of all sizes and increasingly touches areas people don’t expect, from fashion and artificial intelligence to urban planning and digital art. Another misconception is that it’s just about 'registering things'. Many people don’t realise how much of IP law is about enforcement, litigation, valuation, or strategic use of IP.

I’m inspired by IP lawyers who stay curious, keep learning, and remain humble no matter how senior, well-known, or successful they are. I admire those who remain open to new perspectives, generous with their time, accessible, and mentor the younger generation. I am lucky enough to have several role models to look up to in my international circles.

When I was younger, I was drawn to acting, directing, and writing, so probably something in the creative arts. These days, I find neuroscience and psychology fascinating too, so I could imagine myself exploring one of those fields. Of course, that would be a very different track.

Uuugh – quite a lot, but I am not sure she would listen! Anyway, be more assertive and less sensitive. Don’t be afraid of changes. Most things can be fixed. Start working out way earlier than you did. Never cut back on time for the people who love you and whom you love. And maybe less Nutella?!

I wouldn’t call it a motto exactly, but something I hold true: our brain is a very powerful asset. It is worth feeding it with information and training it (also on how to relax) because it will reward us with ideas and solutions when needed, new opportunities, and the ability to reflect on life.