After a placement at a Parisian Industrial Property Consultancy, I decided that I would prefer to work as a specialised jurist in a company, in order to be part of an explicit legal strategy encompassing a Group's products and to take a more concrete approach to the law and its day-to-day application.
I joined the Lactalis Group in January 2002. My integration was facilitated by the Department Manager who treated me like any other colleague right from the moment I arrived. The best way to integrate is through immersion and my immersion was complete right from the word 'go'.
How do you spend your days ?
I spend my time analysing French divisions' and foreign subsidiaries' various marketing plans, to work out the best strategies to legally protect their creativity and ensure the administrative management of the various incorporeal rights (deposit and renewal of brand names, styles etc.). I also draw up and ensure the monitoring of various intellectual property contracts (such as taking on models, transfers of brands, for example), and take part in monitoring legal disputes (e.g. working with our lawyers).
The job is very flexible : rather than 'reciting the intellectual property law code' I learnt at university, I have to use my legal knowledge to ensure that our products can be marketed with the utmost legal safety. I cannot simply say no to everything.
Which qualities does a Company Jurist need ?
As well as the obvious skills for an Intellectual Property jurist, that include an in-depth knowledge of the subject, the ability to explain it in layman's terms, teamwork, discipline and organisation, I have mainly developed essential personal qualities such as the ability to listen, a fighting spirit, persuasiveness and interpersonal relations.
What are your future plans, towards your initial training and your experience ?
After a higher diploma in business law, I specialised by taking a Masters in competition and intellectual property law and consumer rights at Rennes.
My specialisation took me into the Intellectual Property department. Now I'm starting to deal with more complex dossiers more independently and to take on greater responsibility.
