Patsy Lau

Partner, Intellectual Property, Hong Kong & International Trade Marks


Education

Juris Doctorate, University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts, University of San Francisco

My first Deacons Encounter

Joining the firm as a Paralegal

I Chose Deacons

I have always appreciated the challenges and the fast pace presented by intellectual property law. When I graduated from law school in California, I wanted to gain work experience practicing IP in Asia and Deacons had a well-established practice, so it was a natural choice for me to join the team.

Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with many talented and passionate IP lawyers at Deacons. Here I can fully appreciate the culture of striving for excellence.

Click here to start your journey with us.

My Role

I advise clients ranging from start-ups to multinational conglomerates on brand protection and commercialisation. I work with lawyers and paralegals in my team, and we also often work cross-functionally with Deacons’ colleagues in other practice groups as well as overseas IP professionals. This is because many of our clients’ businesses are multi-jurisdictional and multifaceted, involving issues of branding, e-commerce, advertising, licensing, regulatory, etc. I also keep myself appraised of the latest developments and trends of our clients’ industries which include pharmaceutical, entertainment, hospitality, consumer goods, luxury goods, and financial.

My Career Journey

I trained in the United States, and requalified in Hong Kong. While the pass rate of the re-qualification exam was in the single digits, it was a necessary step for me to establish myself as a full-fledged IP lawyer in Hong Kong. With perseverance and the support from my supervising partner at the time, I successfully re-qualified locally. I also enjoy teaching. I had the opportunity to teach IP law at HKU SPACE. This was an enriching experience for me as I often found that no matter how knowledgeable I was on any particular topic, almost inevitably there was something new for me to learn.

While working full-time, I wanted to learn more about the practicality of litigations under the Commonwealth system. So I studied IP litigation at Nottingham Law School. I would travel to Nottingham every quarter for an intensive week of lectures and practicals. The programme lasted for two years. It was extremely valuable in broadening my legal skills, allowing me to advise on IP issues holistically and not to artificially compartmentalise legal problems into different disciplines of IP law.

I speak on trade mark law and related subjects at international IP conferences. Learning is still fun after working in IP for many years.

Outside Work

I have a grade schooler at home, and in my eyes he is the most demanding client! Being a working parent can be both very rewarding and challenging at the same time. Now that my child is more independent, I am gradually resuming my arts and crafts hobbies. My passion for crafting is put to good use when I help out with Sunday school classes.

Tips for joining Deacons with the right mindset

I believe two key ingredients to a fulfilling career in law are: being passionate about what you do and having a love for learning. I chose law as a career because I enjoy problem solving, whether it is a game of Sudoku, a jigsaw puzzle or helping a client to find legal solutions as a part of my daily work. I relish the process of dissecting a problem and objectively examining my basic assumptions and sometimes having to debunk them. It is very satisfying to be able to provide commercially sound solutions to our clients’ problems.

AM

A Day In The Life

9:00am

Arrive at the office and respond to urgent emails

10:30am

Coach trainee on an urgent legal research

PM

A Day In The Life

1:00pm

Attend Women in Leadership webinar

3:30pm

Advise client on strategy for a new cross-branding project

4:00pm

Draft client advice on weight of evidence on HK trade mark opposition action

5:30pm

Review advice and pleadings prepared by associates

6:00pm

Participate in council meeting for Trade Mark Practitioners Institute to discuss IP issues and proposed statutory and procedural changes

7:00pm

Finalise a multi-jurisdictional Settlement Agreement and email to foreign lawyers for local compliance advice

8:00pm

Leave for stretching class

10:00pm

Attend conference call with International Trade Mark Association’s committee

2020

My Story

Ranked as Noted IP Practitioner in China by Chambers & Partners

2019

My Story

Named as Best of the Best Expert – Top 30 Trade Mark Lawyer in the World by Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides

2018

My Story

Appointed as Project Team Leader for International Trademark Association 140th Annual Meeting

2016

My Story

Appointed onto International Trademark Association’s APAC Global Advisory Council

2009

My Story

Served as the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners

2007

My Story

Promoted to partnership

2006

My Story

Lectured at HKU SPACE

2001

My Story

Admitted as a Hong Kong solicitor

1997

My Story

Joined Deacons upon passing the California Bar Exam

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