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 meet Ahmed Hankawi, managing partner at Etihad Law in Iraq.
Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
I’m a lawyer specialising in IP and commercial litigation. I help businesses protect their ideas, brands, and innovations, and I guide them through complex legal disputes. If they’re curious, I’ll add: ‘It’s part detective work, part strategy, and part making sure creativity and business get the legal protection they deserve’.
Talk us through a typical working day.
Start early by reviewing ongoing cases and client communications, then prioritise urgent matters court filings, contract reviews, or infringement assessments. Midday often involves client meetings, strategy sessions, or negotiations. The afternoon is usually for in-depth legal research and drafting documents.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now, I’m managing a trademark enforcement case for a multinational client, advising a start-up on patent licensing, and overseeing compliance programmes for a technology company entering the Iraqi market.
Does one big piece of work usually take priority, or are you juggling multiple things?
I’m almost always juggling multiple matters. IP and commercial litigation require balancing short-term urgent actions like injunctions or deadline-driven filings with long-term strategies, such as portfolio management or dispute resolution planning.
What is the most exciting aspect of your role, and what is the most stressful?
The most exciting part is seeing a client’s innovation or brand protected and knowing we’ve played a role in its success. I also enjoy cross-border matters that involve creative legal problem-solving. The most stressful part is time sensitivity; IP rights are often lost if you miss deadlines, so precision and speed must work hand-in-hand.
Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.
Attention to detail, strategic thinking, and adaptability are essential. You need a blend of legal acumen and commercial awareness, plus the ability to communicate complex issues in a clear, actionable way. Patience and persistence are also critical. IP disputes can be long, but they require consistent focus.
What is the most common misconception about IP?
Many people think IP is just about filing a trademark or patent, and then you’re done. In reality, it’s an ongoing process that rights need to be enforced, renewed, and adapted to changing markets.
What or who inspires you?
I’m inspired by innovators and creators, people who take an idea from concept to reality against all odds. Their courage pushes me to ensure they get the legal protection they deserve. On a personal level, I admire lawyers who combine expertise with mentorship, shaping both the profession and the next generation.
If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be involved in business strategy, still working at the intersection of ideas and commerce. I’ve always been drawn to helping new ventures grow.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
Learn to listen more than you speak as clients reveal the key to their case in the details they share.
What is your motto in life?
Protect ideas, empower progress.
