World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) with Carolina Hanssen
This week we sat down with Intellectual Property lawyer and patent enthusiast, Caroline Hanssen. After working in two large law firms in her native Colombia for 10 years and studying a Master’s degree in Chicago, Carolina now works as a Legislative and Policy advice lawyer within the Patent Law division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Switzerland. With a love of all things IP, Carolina explains her passion for the area and why working internationally is well worth considering.
At first glance, Intellectual Property might not sound like the most exciting area of the law. After all, patents are among the most complicated, if not the most complicated, legal documents. It’s probably hard to imagine loving something so difficult and complex, but for anyone seeking an area to combine interests, IP can present a perfect solution. Combining the law with science and technology, this role requires a good knowledge of different disciplines and allows lawyers to stay up to date with cutting-edge developments in other fields, collaborating closely with inventors and scientists. And it makes an impact too; IP protects the many intangible assets which underpin some of the most successful businesses and innovations that help drive investment and economic growth to the benefit of many people. Any aspiring lawyer with a broad range of interests, a scientific curiosity, and looking to make an impact in their work would do well to give a career in IP careful consideration.
Working at WIPO has allowed Carolina to do all of these things on an international scale. A UN agency, WIPO is a global forum where all countries can come together and discuss topics related to IP. WIPO also provides services to help member states build and develop their own policies and systems; this is where Carolina comes in. Helping countries build or review their legal frameworks and regulations, she works with different government institutions and stakeholders to help them write laws to meet their specific needs at a country level. The work is different on a case-by-case basis, and you can think of each country as like a client – they express their needs and wants and then you work with them to build a better system to benefit everyone involved. It’s difficult but exciting work, which can bring a huge amount of satisfaction. Being able to help countries in a tangible way, by developing IP systems which stimulate investment and grow economies, is one of the best parts of the job.
It might be surprising to know that it’s possible to work as a lawyer on such a wide, international scale. People often assume that you can only practice law in the country where you’ve trained. However, this isn’t always the case and there are international opportunities available. It takes a lot of work and Carolina spends a lot of time researching different countries, their politics, economic strengths and potential problems to ensure that she can present the best possible options and advice. Moving out of the familiarity of the Colombian legal sphere and having to familiarise herself with completely different systems and cultures was a scary step. But it’s also one that has allowed Carolina to grow in many different areas. If you’re someone who loves the research side of law, and likes the idea of working at an international organization, give it a try. Don’t assume that it’s not an option because of where or what you studied or because you think it’s hard to get into – take the initiative, be bold and push yourself. As Carolina says, you will never win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.
Working at such an international level, both in terms of your clients and your colleagues, be prepared for a bit of culture shock. If you’ve only ever lived and worked in one country, learning to be in a multicultural environment can be a challenge. Having been a lawyer in Colombia, the different systems, alternative approaches, and number of different people from different backgrounds who she had to interact with everyday was intimidating at first. It’s important to invest time into developing your soft skills – being able to communicate well in complex environments is essential and you need to be able to grasp the diplomatic skills required. To succeed, you need a willingness to learn and a respect for different cultures and ways of doing things.
One of the best preparations for Carolina, in this regard and many others, was her choice to study a Master’s in Chicago. Learning a completely different law system (and in Carolina’s case, in a completely different language) is a huge challenge. However, it provides an ideal foundation for working at an international organization such as WIPO and will open your mind up to different perspectives and insights which will enhance your knowledge of the law and help you appreciate international elements. Studying in a different country can be an incredibly enriching experience, opening you up to different customs, experiences and networks, and it’s one that Carolina whole-heartedly recommends to anyone for whom it is an option.
For all our LegalTea devotees, here are our 3 Key Takeaways from this week’s chat with Carolina:
Law may not be as location specific as you think. Although people often assume they’ll be limited to working in their own country, lawyers do have opportunities to work internationally. It will take a lot of work but if it’s something that interests you, take the initiative and push yourself to apply to these opportunities.
Be open minded. Working at a large international organization like WIPO, you’re exposed to many different people, backgrounds and customs. Whether you’re interacting with teammates, colleagues or clients, it’s essential that you can communicate respectfully and diplomatically, and that you’re always open to learning.
Study abroad if you can. Studying abroad is brilliant preparation for working at an international organisation, or just to broaden your horizons and enrich your understanding of the law. Although it can be scary and difficult, if it’s an option for you then it’s one that you should consider. It will almost certainly be worth it.
Contact Carolina Hanssen on LinkedIn
