Why Vahura is Going All In on IP Recruitment

Intellectual property lawyers are, not to put too fine a point on it, built different. The last of the specialists, they’re seen as elite ninjas, who possess highly specific knowledge on matters that can make or break companies. Traditionally, companies have approached IP firms as a reactive measure, either when they want to sue a party for infringement or when they need to defend an allegation of infringement. Just like there is an informal IP bar, there is also an IP bench in some High Courts, comprised of judges who have an interest and expertise in IP matters. 

All this to say that it’s best to leave IP matters to the experts. When it comes to IP, the stakes can be existential and mistakes can be extremely costly. A few years ago, a technology company faced a significant loss when a competitor released a product almost identical to its patented technology. Despite being the innovator, the company lacked the internal IP resources to act swiftly, resulting in costly litigation and missed opportunities. This story is a common cautionary tale, highlighting why companies need in-house IP experts.

At Vahura, we’ve seen this growing need firsthand. In today’s business world, almost every company is in the ‘ideas business’. And speed has become even more of the essence. Of course, there are some industries—such as life sciences, technology, manufacturing, media—that engage with IP in a more fundamental way than others. Within these industries, it may no longer be prudent to have a reactive IP law policy; there needs to be a proactive strategy in place when it comes to IP. With patent applications in India rising by 30 percent over the last five years, companies are racing to secure their innovations, making the role of IP professionals more critical than ever.

For a long time, businesses were content to consult with IP experts on an ad-hoc basis. But there may be limitations to that model in today’s fast-paced and uncertain business environment. Now, large business houses are increasingly preferring to hire experts full-time, so that there is some more skin in the game and the expert has easy access to decision-makers and staff who may have been involved in the creation of the IP. 

That’s why we’ve launched a dedicated IP recruitment team, focused on helping businesses hire full-time IP lawyers and patent agents. We’ve been handling IP recruitment for years, but with increasing demand, it’s the right time to go all in. 

Historically, the rarefied air around IP law meant that the expert was only expected to advise on highly technical issues, involving specific sections of statute and guidelines. Perhaps a lot of this reputation was developed because of the technical nature of life sciences patenting work. IP lawyers also stayed true to their chosen silo of contentious or non-contentious work. The advisor was often a different persona to the solicitor or the barrister. 

But the modern IP expert is a versatile and commercial-minded lawyer. They’re comfortable with both advisory and litigation work. Additionally, they’re also well-versed with the world of policy, regulatory boards and lobbying. Whether the work is process- or paperwork driven, such as preparing documentation for applications to the patent or trademark boards, or whether it requires some blue-sky thinking around patentability and trademark strategy, the modern IP expert is all over it.  

With competition intensifying, companies can no longer afford to be reactive when it comes to IP. Having dedicated IP experts on board allows businesses to proactively mitigate risks, streamline patenting processes, and develop commercialization strategies that give them a long-term competitive edge.

Recognising that IP-related recruitment can’t be bracketed with other practice areas or sectors, we’ve carved out a separate and new IP team that is committed to  finding the right talent for every business, whether it’s IP lawyers or patent agents. . Our approach is tailor-made. We will first sit with you to understand the IP-related aspects of your business and the kind of expert you have in mind for your company. We will then tap into our extensive network of IP specialists and help you land on the right fit. 

Whether you’re a life sciences company looking for a person who knows their way around drug patent applications or a media house that needs someone to front complex rights transactions and chain-of-title review, we can connect you to talent that adds real value to your business.