Catherine Zheng

Partner, China Intellectual Property


Education

Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada
Bachelor of Science (Hons in Chemistry), Dalhousie University, Canada
Law School of Fudan University, China

My first Deacons Encounter

Joining the firm as a Registered Foreign Lawyer

I Chose Deacons

I wanted to return to Asia after I have spent 10 years studying and working in North America. Deacons had a strong reputation internationally for IP practice and had also started their IP practice in Mainland China, it was a natural fit for me to join Deacons to work with clients all over the world.

Deacons offers a friendly environment for me to grow and develop into areas of specialty. Deacons also has a great team of partners, associates, trainees and paralegals to guide and support the pursuit of my career goals.

Click here to start your journey with us.

My Role

I advise clients on various aspects of IP issues in Mainland China from filing and enforcing a trademark to commercialising and acquiring patents and knowhow, dealing with issues in advertising, e-commerce, data privacy, etc. As the Head of the Patents & Designs team, I also lead and guide my team members on their career paths. My role is challenging but rewarding from not only helping clients successfully navigate through the difficult legal regimes in Mainland China, but also achieving international awards for our winning IP team.

Apart from the legal work, I am also a member of the firm’s Business Development Committee. Through this commitment, I contribute to the development and continuation of the firm into the next century.

How did I come to Deacons?

I was trained in Canada and worked as an IP lawyer there before joining Deacons. I then requalified in Hong Kong through the overseas lawyers exams. After I joined Deacons, I soon realised that Deacons has an open door policy and junior lawyers are encouraged and supported to develop in specialties of their own interests. I was passionate about patent litigation at the time and was given opportunities and support from the partners to expand into this area of practice.

What draws me to Intellectual Property?

I was studying law in China and wanted to explore the world. In the 90’s, it is difficult for a Mainland Chinese to study aboard. I managed to obtain a scholarship to study chemistry in the US. With my passion in law, I went back to law school after the science degree. It was natural to join the IP profession by combining my knowledge in both science and law. With the fast development of technologies, it is extremely interesting and rewarding to practise IP law and to deal with the forefront technologies.

Furthermore, one of the best parts of IP practice is to allow you making friends in the same area of practice all over the world and to enjoy the best food, drinks and interesting stories somewhere in the world together.

My hobbies and interests outside my work

I enjoy travelling and meeting people with different backgrounds. Good food and drinks help to release my stress. To keep my young kids at home entertained, I now also enjoy doing various experiments at home from science projects to cooking and baking.

What is something that I had done at Deacons that made an impact?

I expanded the patent litigation practice at Deacons which has allowed us to win many awards in the profession. Without the help of our talented team members, we would not have achieved that.

What would I tell a junior or senior in college or university that my favourite part of working at Deacons is?

My favourite part of working at Deacons is that you will be given ample exciting opportunities and responsibilities to service different clients locally and internationally and obtain satisfaction through your own attribute, with the helpful guidance from the partners and warm support from the talented colleagues alongside. I am so proud that we represent half of the top 100 brands in the world.

AM

A Day In The Life

8:00am

Arrive at the firm, attend a conference call with foreign client, read emails and plan for the day

10:00am

Team meeting, approve drafts and discuss with teammates on work

11:30am

Local client meeting

PM

A Day In The Life

1:00pm

Lunch with client, colleagues or friends

3:00pm

Management meetings

4:00pm

Discussing matter strategies with team members and external service providers

5:00pm

Coaching or mentoring junior associates and trainees

6:00pm

Drinks with clients or attend the firm’s events

8:00pm

Home with family

11:00pm

Attending global virtual conferences

2020

My Story

Ranked as Leading IP Individual in Intellectual Property (International Firms), China by Chambers & Partners

2019

My Story

Ranked as Gold Tier Individual in Prosecution and Strategy in Hong Kong by World Trademark Review 1000

2018

My Story

Appointed as Co-Chairperson of Designs Committee at Asian Patent Attorneys Association

Ranked as Gold Tier individual in Patent Litigation in Hong Kong by IAM Patent 1000

2017

My Story

Ranked as World’s Top 250 Women in IP by Managing IP

2016

My Story

Ranked as Leading IP lawyer in China by Chambers & Partners

2015

My Story

Appointed as Head of Patent and Designs Group

2012

My Story

Had my second boy

2011

My Story

Promoted to partnership at Deacons

2008

My Story

Admitted as a Hong Kong solicitor

Had my first boy

2000

My Story

Joined Deacons upon admission at the New York Bar and Law Society of Upper Canada

Before 2000

My Story

Obtained Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in Canada

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