Welcome to the latest instalment of Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, where we learn more about intellectual property practitioners, or those working in the IP profession, on a personal and professional level. This time, we meet Chunguang Hu, partner at China PAT in Beijing.
Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
I usually say I am a patent attorney. I help companies protect their innovations, making sure good ideas do not get lost in paperwork or end up without the protection they deserve. I started my career as a patent examiner, so I understand how the system works from the inside as well as from the practitioner side.
At China PAT, I work closely with clients and coordinate with different teams across the firm to make sure their matters are handled properly. It is a role that combines legal analysis, technical understanding and a fair amount of communication, which is what I enjoy most.
Talk us through a typical working day.
A typical day involves a mix of professional discussions, strategic oversight, and client engagement. I spend much of my time responding to complex questions and making sure different aspects of their matters are aligned. There are also regular discussions with colleagues, as well as planning and training activities. I stay closely involved in the substance of the work, while focusing on communication, judgement and follow-through.
The rhythm of the day can vary, but the aim is always the same: to help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment, I am managing multiple client matters. This involves coordinating across teams, aligning priorities for urgent projects, and ensuring that both ongoing and upcoming tasks are properly prepared. It is also a time to maintain strong engagement with overseas clients and partner firms, while overseeing planning for strategic initiatives in the year ahead.
Does one big piece of work usually take priority, or are you juggling multiple things?
Most of the time, I juggle multiple priorities: client needs make my day highly dynamic and require agile strategic shifts between matters. While this differs from the longer, uninterrupted focus I enjoyed early in my career, it allows me to respond promptly to clients’ needs and ensure their interests are always served. Strategic projects provide structure, but adaptability remains essential.
What is the most exciting aspect of your role, and what is the most stressful?
The most rewarding part is seeing progress unfold in complex matters, achieving successful outcomes for clients across different types of IP work. I also enjoy collaborating with teams and the mix of legal and technical thinking, as no two matters are ever quite the same.
One challenging aspect is navigating cases with inherent complexity and unpredictability. In these situations, our role is to provide clients with thorough analysis and guidance, ensuring they can make informed decisions. Managing these high-stakes expectations under tight timelines is demanding, but it is also what makes the role rewarding.
What makes the work worthwhile is knowing that, even under pressure, we are contributing to matters that truly impact our clients, alongside colleagues dedicated to quality and service.
Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.
A successful IP practitioner combines several key traits. Like an experienced guide, they perceive clients’ needs and help them navigate the complexities of IP work, ensuring clients feel supported at every step. Like a skilled detective, they sift through complex technical and legal information to spot what really matters. And like a seasoned athlete, they react quickly and adapt under pressure.
What is the most common misconception about IP?
A common misconception among overseas clients is that Chinese IP rights are of limited value. In reality, China now operates one of the largest patent systems in the world, with ample examiners, efficient processing, and a well-established legal framework. Foreign applicants are treated fairly, and protections are increasingly robust across different types of IP.
On the other hand, some clients assume that Chinese IP rules work the same as in other countries. For example, patent novelty grace periods are shorter and more strictly applied than in the US, and certain protections available for unregistered designs in Europe do not exist in China. Without proper guidance, relying solely on prior international experience can create unexpected risks.
What or who inspires you?
I am often inspired by the unique nature of the work itself. Each case we handle is a window into the future of global innovation, and this intellectual challenge drives our entire firm to strive for excellence. My colleagues are intellectually curious professionals who thrive on solving the most intricate legal puzzles. We never limit our analysis to the surface level. Instead, we cultivate a culture of deep preparation because we believe that the difference between success and failure lies in the depth of our preparation. This collective commitment to thoroughness is the cornerstone of our practice.
Ultimately, the most rewarding inspiration comes from the trust our clients place in us. Providing them with peace of mind in the Chinese IP landscape is a shared achievement that motivates us every day.
If you weren’t in IP, what would you be doing?
I would probably still be working in a structured, analytical field, perhaps engineering. I am drawn to work where complex issues can be examined carefully and turned into clear, workable solutions.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
Learn earlier how to distil the core issues from a sea of data. While every detail is reviewed, the art lies in knowing which strategic levers will truly move the needle for a client. Time is a resource that must be allocated with precision.
What is your motto in life?
My motto is to read widely and choose wisely, accumulate deeply and deliver precisely (博观而约取，厚积而薄发). This principle ensures that our extensive expertise is always distilled into the most effective and powerful strategies for our clients.
