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 Raluca Vasilescu, co-founding partner of Cabinet M Oproiu in Romania.
Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
Drafting patents, defending or attacking patents. As simple as that.
Talk us through a typical working day.
I prefer doing the difficult things in the morning: technical aspects of the expert reports for court or for litigation. Then, by order of difficulty, come the office actions, including patent drafting and management issues. This includes discussions with my team.
Breakthrough ideas often emerge at unexpected moments – while driving, during conversations, or even during leisure activities. When inspiration strikes, I've learned to capture it immediately, whether by returning to my computer to document the concept in detail or simply jotting notes in my trusty old-fashioned paper notebook.
What are you working on at the moment?
Patent mining for a very creative client. A lot of partially related ideas that need to be squeezed into a handful of patent applications.
Does one big piece of work usually take priority or are you juggling multiple things?
Usually, I am juggling multiple things. But sometimes a big piece of work takes priority. I concentrate on that piece of work, temporarily setting aside all the other matters. I have trained myself to do that; it doesn't come naturally and requires considerable discipline.
What is the most exciting aspect of your role and what is the most stressful?
Creation is by far the most exciting aspect. I am creative by nature – in my free time, I adore painting. Watercolour is my preferred technique. Creation means not only patents, defending or attacking them, but also giving ideas to the inventors, as well as advising on the best patent strategy.
The most stressful aspect is coping with multiple tasks of equal priority.
Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.
Creativity, discipline, resilience and enjoying the work. Genuine enjoyment of the work ties all the other elements together.
What is the most common misconception about IP?
‘IP is expensive’ is the most common misconception. The point is that it is partially correct. However, not having IP at all is far more expensive in most cases.
What or who inspires you?
I have always admired intelligent people. Therefore, I am inspired by some of our inventors who are really brilliant, as well as by some of the patent attorneys with whom I work, and by my entire team who closely support me.
If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?
Painting watercolours. I have decorated my office with them (see photo), including the meeting room.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
Be more patient. Great victories and great inventions do not come overnight, but through calm, perseverance, and long-term vision.
What is your motto in life?
Never give up.
