MP: Thank you for agreeing to take part in our conversation series which highlights and celebrates the incredible people at the heart of our organisation. You hardly need any introduction, as you are so well known both within Boult and within the IP profession as whole. During that time you’ve amassed quite the list of achievements in your career – individual rankings, and awards, including being a Top 250 Woman in IP and being named as UK Trademark Attorney of the Year 2024. What are you most proud of?
EP: I am incredibly grateful for having been nominated and recognised by clients and the IP community as a whole. However, I don’t think I’d say it’s any of that, necessarily, that I’m most proud of.
I would say that I’m most proud of seeing that women now make up more than 50% of the firm. That is a big difference from when I started in the profession. It’s down to the likes of Nina White and Tessa Bucks that things have changed. Women at Boult have risen to the top. I look round the table at the many talented women present there today, and the strength across the team is fantastic.
MP: I’d say you had a big part to play in that, too!
EP: That’s very kind of you. I feel we do a very good job of supporting each other as women in the firm and beyond, and we’ve been doing that for a long time. We started years ago with ladies’ lunches, and built on that. Most firms have women in senior positions now and there are a lot of diversity initiatives around.
I’m also proud of the development in the trade mark group during my tenure with the firm and how we have flourished. Our Trade Mark Practice is very highly regarded and we have worked to achieve and sustain that.
MP: During your professional career, are there any setbacks you’ve faced – and if so, how have you overcome them?
EP: I’ve certainly faced some challenges during my career. I’ve always felt I’m very resilient and able to use that strength to make things better for others and for myself. This profession can be tough and I think you have to have a resourcefulness, too. I’ve also been lucky to have partners around me to support me, and friends in the firm who have spurred me on. That’s as true today as it is of my early career.
MP: Speaking of your early career, do you have any advice for younger self, or for younger attorneys entering the profession?
EP: With the benefit of hindsight… slow down a little bit! I have been in the legal profession since 1993 and with Boult since 1996. It’s a long career and resilience is really important, as is resourcefulness.
MP: I agree with that.
EP: As a senior partner, I’m here to develop work and its very important to push work down, delegate well and to be able to trust the people round you. I am very lucky to have an excellent team and they appreciate the opportunity to work on new things.
MP: What character traits have made you so successful?
EP: Lots of energy! That’s a must. In a very long career there can be a lot of hurdles but you can overcome them. And be kind to yourself. Things can go wrong and the important thing is to learn from that.
MP: One thing you always seem to have in abundance is energy, and a positive attitude.
EP: Thanks! I’m also quite good at convincing people to come along with me. That requires a little bit of charm, I think. But, I also try to mentor and inspire people. I like to lead by inspiring people. You can’t expect others to do what you wouldn’t do yourself. And you’ve got to get the nuts and bolts right, as our actions impact.
Oh, and always do the right thing; it doesn’t matter if its’ hard!
MP: Well, that’s a great sentiment on which to end. Thank you for your time, Emma. Do you have any final thoughts on your career so far?
EP: I’m just very proud of the fantastic group we have in trade marks group at Boult. That will always mean more to me than individual awards.
The firm as a whole is also doing incredibly well. Boult is a super place, with a relatively young partnership, its progressive and a place where talent is supported and flourishes. I’m really pleased about that.
MP: It was great fun talking to you. It’s always a pleasure to work with you – with someone who has achieved so much, works so hard, but also makes everything fun! Thank you.
If you wish to find out more about Emma and her trade mark practice, details can be found here, and you can contact Emma at epitcher@boult.com. Until next time, thanks for reading our conversation with Emma, allowing you to get a sense of the fantastic people at Boult.
For those of you who are attending INTA in San Diego later this month, Emma, our team and I look forward to meeting you. If you have any UK trade mark matters you need advice on, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Emma. If you have any queries on UK or EPO patent matters, please reach out to me. Furthermore, our colleague Henning Erb, a Trade Mark Attorney and a Patent Attorney in Germany will be attending INTA so can assist on German patent and EU trademark matters. Dr Isabel Blanco is also attending. Isabel is a Spanish qualified lawyer and can assist on Spanish and EU trade mark matters. We look forward to seeing you there.
Read the entire in conversation with series here.
