Welcome to the latest instalment of Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, where we learn more about IP practitioners and professionals on a personal and professional level.
This time, we meet Manisha Singh, founder and managing partner at LexOrbis in India.
Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
I help protect ideas before, during and after they become the next big product, brand, technology or business. . As a founder and managing partner, my role is not only to advise clients on IP rights, but also to help them think strategically about how those rights can support growth, competitiveness and long-term value.
Talk us through a typical working day.
In IP practice, there is no such thing as a truly typical day, and that is part of the excitement. My day usually begins early, often with a workout or yoga, which helps me centre myself before the pace of the day begins. I then move into client calls, strategy discussions, internal reviews, mentoring sessions and decisions relating to the firm’s growth. Some days are focused on complex legal questions; others on people, systems, business development or long-term planning. What remains constant is the need to stay responsive, thoughtful and forward-looking.
What are you working on at the moment?
We are working across a wide spectrum of IP matters involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, litigation, enforcement and commercial transactions. A particularly interesting part of our work today is advising on IP issues in fast-evolving areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, digital health, fintech, electronics and life sciences. These sectors often raise questions where the law, technology and business realities are developing together. We are also helping clients look beyond protection alone and use IP as a strategic tool for investment, collaboration, expansion and market advantage.
Does one big piece of work usually take priority, or are you juggling multiple things?
It is very much a constant juggling act, but one that I enjoy. There are always matters that require immediate focus, especially when they involve high-stakes disputes, enforcement action, client strategy or important business decisions. At the same time, leading a full-service IP firm means keeping an eye on several moving parts, including the clients, teams, operations, growth, quality and the future direction of the firm. I have learned over the years that the answer lies in building strong teams, trusting people, communicating clearly and knowing when to step in personally.
What is the most exciting aspect of your role, and what is the most stressful?
The most exciting aspect is being close to ideas at the stage when they are still taking shape. It is a privilege to see inventions, brands and creative works before they reach the market and to help protect the effort behind them. Each matter carries a story with research, risk, ambition, creativity or entrepreneurship, and that makes the work deeply meaningful.
The most stressful aspect is also linked to what makes the work exciting, which is the pace of change. Technology moves quickly, business models shift, and the law must often respond to questions that did not exist a few years ago. That demands constant learning, sound judgment and the ability to give clear, practical advice even in uncertain areas.
Tell us the key characteristics that make a successful IP lawyer/practitioner.
A successful IP lawyer must have curiosity at the core. You have to be willing to understand a client’s technology, brand, market, competitors and business model, not just the legal provision involved. Analytical ability, attention to detail and precision are essential, but so are communication and commercial understanding. Clients value lawyers who can translate complex legal issues into practical choices. The best IP advice is not merely technically correct; it is timely, commercially useful and aligned with the client’s larger goals.
What is the most common misconception about IP?
One common misconception is that IP is only for large corporations, research institutions or technology-heavy businesses. In reality, almost every business creates IP, often without realising it. Another misconception is that registration is the finish line, when in reality, it is only the starting point. The real strength of an IP portfolio comes from how it is managed, enforced, commercialised and integrated into business strategy.
What or who inspires you?
I am inspired by people who build with conviction. Entrepreneurs, scientists, creators, researchers and young businesses often begin with an idea long before there is certainty, funding or recognition. Their ability to persist through that uncertainty is inspiring. I also find great inspiration within my own team. Watching colleagues grow into confident professionals, take ownership and contribute meaningfully to the firm’s journey has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.
If you weren't in IP, what would you be doing?
I would still have chosen a path that involved building, problem-solving and creating impact. It may have been in law, public policy, education or entrepreneurship. I enjoy working with people, ideas and institutions, and I am naturally drawn to areas where strategy and long-term thinking matter. However, IP has been uniquely rewarding because it allows me to work at the meeting point of law, technology, business and creativity.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be patient with the process. Perfection is not the goal; growth is. With time, one realises that resilience, consistency and integrity matter far more than having every answer at the beginning.
What is your motto in life?
To lead with integrity, work with purpose and keep creating value. For me, success is not only about individual achievement, but it is also about the people we help, the institutions we build and the impact we leave behind. If one remains committed to excellence while also helping others grow, the journey becomes far more meaningful.
