Marks & Clerk’s Luxembourg principal reveals her ‘in tray’

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 Inès Garlantezec, office principal at Marks & Clerk in Luxembourg.

I protect and enforce trademarks and designs. Think of ‘Coca-Cola’, if someone tries to register ‘Coci Coli’, we step in to make sure it’s removed and not used.

People often say, ‘Ah, so branding and marketing?’ Not quite, it's the law we apply and enforce.

First, coffee! Then emails, or sometimes the other way around!

Most of my day is spent at the computer, but I’m lucky to have regular calls with clients and colleagues. Teams notifications set the rhythm, and I juggle drafting arguments, negotiating with third parties, and staying on top of matters across Benelux, the EU, and internationally with other agents.

I usually end the day with a walk, often listening to podcasts or voice notes from friends and family - which sometimes feel like podcasts themselves.

I’m working on an extensive mixture of matters at the moment, from advising on beauty dupe matters with my UK colleagues, to a Luxembourg case that’s finally settling after months, and ongoing negotiations with third parties.

On top of that, I’ve just been promoted to head the Marks & Clerk EU Luxembourg office, so we’re also scouting for a new office space.

Often juggling! Prioritisation is key, but my day often involves switching between matters, reorganising priorities throughout the day and jumping on calls with colleagues.

I think most people would agree that deadlines are the stressful part. They always seem to arrive faster than expected and remind you how quickly time flies.

The most exciting part? Winning a favourable decision for a client or receiving positive feedback.

 

I also love attending conferences and finally meeting people I’ve only emailed for years. The international nature of our work is a real highlight, so sharing a table with people from all over the world and finding we have so much in common is something I truly enjoy.

Being practical, clear, and solution-oriented. You need to put yourself in your client’s shoes and think commercially.

Being pleasant helps too, especially in negotiations. People naturally prefer working with someone they enjoy speaking to.

That it is not a must. It absolutely is!

My brother. He’s passionate about so many things, knowledgeable, and genuinely a good person. Empathy, integrity, and kindness go a long way. In the (protected!) words of La Mudanza by Bad Bunny and his songwriters, ‘Un aplauso pa mami y papi porque en verdá rompieron’.

I’m a second child, and I think siblings have a big influence, and shape us more than we realise, more than social or politically engaged personalities and stories we read or hear about.

More broadly, I believe every person you meet influences how you see life and work, so I guess every person I have met has inspired me to a degree.

Living abroad and doing an Erasmus was a big inspiration, and I have noted that it is one common experience many IP lawyers share, and it helped me learn a new language.

Travelling continues to inspire me, seeing how people live elsewhere and how related we all are.

Do I win the lottery in that scenario? My answer would depend on it. But jokes aside, I really enjoy IP as it gives me great insight into so many sectors through the clients I advise.

If not IP, maybe I’d run a beach bar - I love socialising and a sea view. Or host a talk show like the French one ‘C’est mon choix’, where guests share life-defining choices.

I also wouldn’t mind organising travel for people – I already do that for friends, family, and colleagues!

Stay open to opportunities and not take things too seriously while still being serious.

‘Just Do It!’ Oh no that’s Nike’s trademark! See - brands are everywhere…!