Ellen Keenan-O’Malley is a Senior Associate at EIP, a leading global patent law firm.
Ellen is a commercial IP solicitor and a certified European data protection practitioner, specialising in intellectual property, new and emerging technology, AI, cyber and data protection. Ellen has extensive experience of advising clients on a wide range of commercial matters including IP licencing arrangements, AI and software matters, disputes involving trade mark and copyright infringement and breaches of licensing. Ellen has advised on various cross-border and UK-specific data protection matters, including those involving data transfers, monitoring, cross-border data subject access requests and regulatory requests. She has also provided specialist advise for early stage and spinout companies on various IP matters, such as NDAs, consultancy agreements and licensing arrangements.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
I found my current role through a recruiter reaching out via LinkedIn. I had recently completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice at the University of Oxford, and I knew that I wanted to move into a specialist intellectual property firm, in particular, one that was forward thinking and in the tech sector. The recruiter who reached out in many respects took a chance on me, as many recruiters saw that I was working in-house in an international investment bank in the IP and Tech team, as such, were pushing me into other financial services roles. She saw the transferrable skills that I had to offer and reached out, and I am so pleased she did.
What are the key roles in your field of work?
Good communication is a key part of my work, be that written or verbal communication, and a keen interest in the subject matter. This was taught to me in my first ever legal role working for a boutique Entertainment law firm in New York. Without those two things, you will struggle to bring yourself to work on the days that are tough; but if you are interested in what you do, you will feel engaged and eager to always be learning. IP and tech are always evolving, and it is exciting to be part of this sector and being part of something that will shape the future.
Why did you choose your current expertise?
In many respects I fell into my expertise. When I went to New York as a graduate from law school in Scotland, I thought I was going to be a Human Rights Lawyer. However, after a rejection letter for a training contract in that sector, I moved to New York and was offered the opportunity to work for an Entertainment firm, which was where I realised that working with creators and inventors to protect their IP was also important, and so diverse in subject matter, that I never looked back.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
I think there are many people that I look to for inspiration, both at senior levels of business and peers in my sector. However, the person I look to most for guidance and inspiration to keep going is my former boss and mentor, Nicole Page, Partner at Reavis Page Jump. She took me under her wing when I was just starting out and gave me the strength and self-belief to keep going even when I thought law was perhaps not for me. She introduced me to my love for intellectual property and for that, I will always be grateful.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Do not take rejection personally. We will all receive rejection at some point in our lives but try to see it as a positive for personal growth and a sign that the right opportunity is still out there.
