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WIPR Influential Women in IP 2019
www.worldipreview.com
Trailblazers
Destined for great things
At World IP Review, we’re always looking to
the future and we expect our 20 Trailblazers to
brighten that future considerably.
ur esteemed panel selected 20
Trailblazers from a much larger list.
With ten years of IP practice or less,
these talented women have already
O
achieved great things, from working with the
biggest brands to championing gender diversity at
their firms.
Tough decisions had to be made, as each of our
nominees has made an outstanding contribution
to the legal profession. But we’re absolutely sure
that there is more to come for these talented
women, both our 20 Trailblazers and our
nominees, as they continue to make their mark on
the IP industry.
As you’ll see from our selection the UK
is, arguably, overrepresented. This is largely
a reflection of the overwhelming amount of
submissions to our survey from UK respondents.
We’re looking forward to even greater global
engagement next year.
The panel:
Nicola Dagg, partner at Kirkland & Ellis
Dagg has extensive experience in pharmaceutical
and biologics patent litigation including
blockbuster small molecule litigation against
generic companies, biologics and biosimilar
litigation, antibodies, immunotherapies, genetics,
vaccines, diagnostics and gene therapies. She
also acts in market-leading standard essential
patent essentiality, validity and global FRAND
adjudication litigation.
Alexandra Neri, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills
Neri provides clients from a range of IP/TMTrich
industries with guidance on cutting-edge
strategies as lead litigation counsel. Her global
practice includes high value and high-profile
matters for internet, technology, financial and
consumer-focused companies, and encompasses
infringement cases involving patents, trademarks,
domain names, copyright, and designs.
We’re absolutely sure that
there is more to come for
these talented women.
Maria Varsellona, Nokia chief legal officer and
president of Nokia Technologies
Varsellona has been Nokia’s chief legal officer
since May 2014. She has overseen patent licensing
at Nokia since September 2016 and in May
last year she was appointed president of Nokia
Technologies. As president, Varsellona leads the
monetisation of Nokia’s IP, including its patent
portfolio, innovative technologies and know-how,
and the Nokia brand.
MaryAnne Armstrong, partner at Birch Stewart
Kolasch Birch
Armstrong focuses her practice on prosecuting
patent applications and post-grant practice in
the fields of pharmaceutical chemistry, organic
chemistry, medical devices, biotechnology, and
plants. She is also experienced in pharma and
biopharma-related procedures such as requests
for patent term extension.
Heike Wollgast, head of the IP disputes section
at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
Wollgast is a German lawyer and holds a PhD in
European Law from the University of Cologne.
Following studies and legal training in Germany,
Switzerland and the US, she practised in the areas
of IP law and dispute resolution with two major
law firms. Prior to joining the WIPO Center,
she specialised in IP enforcement law and policy
at WIPO.
Sarah Morgan, senior writer at World IP Review
A journalist with more than five years of
experience and a law degree from King’s College
London, Morgan covers all aspects of IP around
the world. She has spearheaded the WIPR Women in
IP project. l
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