Here is an article based on Bernard Savage, a consultant that advises IP firms on marketing and business development, interviewing Keith Loven on 9th August, 2024
A veteran patent attorney reflects on his first 50 years in the profession
Keith’s journey into the world of intellectual property (IP) began in a small town in Essex. Born and raised in Braintree before moving to Colchester, Keith’s early education at Colchester Royal Grammar School set the foundation for his future. With a keen interest in science, he chose to study chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham, influenced by a mix of his academic strengths and an uncle who worked in the field.
However, after three years of study, Keith realised that a career in chemical engineering wasn’t for him, especially due to concerns about the petroleum industry.
“I was uncomfortable about the implications of being part of the petroleum industry,” Keith recalls, explaining the pivotal moment that led him to explore alternative career paths.
It was during this time of exploration that Keith stumbled upon a university careers brochure featuring a job opportunity with a firm of Patent Agents in London. Despite having little prior knowledge of the field, he applied and soon found himself starting a career in intellectual property at Pollak, Mercer, and Tench, a firm located in the heart of Holborn.
Reflecting on his early years, Keith fondly recalls the firm’s old-fashioned offices and the senior partner’s advice to “do your best during the day, and when it comes to 5:00, go home and forget all about it.”
It was advice that stuck with him throughout his career, even though such a work-life balance is rare in today’s fast-paced industry. Keith notes, “There can’t be many senior partners in the big firms now who would give that advice to their technical assistants.”
After qualifying as a patent attorney in 1980, Keith’s career took him through various roles, including a stint in industry in Birmingham. Eventually, he joined Potter Clarkson in Nottingham, where he fully qualified and began to build the foundation for what would become a long and successful career. By 1989, after a further brief spell in an industrial patent department, the time had come for Keith to strike out on his own. He established his firm in Chelmsford, seizing the opportunity presented by the closure of another firm’s local office.
Starting with no clients, Keith rented a small office and advertised in the Yellow Pages, gradually building a reputation that has kept his firm thriving for over 35 years.
Throughout his career, Keith witnessed significant changes in the patent profession. He notes the increasing accessibility of patent enforcement, particularly with the establishment of the IP Enterprise Court (IPEC). However, the digital revolution has been the most profound change, transforming everything from communication to the very nature of patent infringement cases.
Keith recalls how, in his early days, international patent applications involved physically transporting documents to airports, a stark contrast to today’s instant email communication. “Nowadays, we just email the papers,” he says, reflecting on how technology has streamlined the process.
Keith’s experience has taught him valuable lessons, including the importance of securing payment from clients upfront — advice born from a hard-learned lesson early in his career. “One lesson I learned was that it doesn’t matter how respectable the company looks, they’re not necessarily always going to be a good client,” he advises.
Keith also emphasises the need for young patent attorneys to develop not only technical skills but also an understanding of the business side of the profession. This, he believes, is often overlooked, especially in larger firms.
Looking to the future, Keith sees challenges on the horizon, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for patent law. He also highlights the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, a philosophy he has adhered to since his early days in the profession.
In a career spanning over five decades, Keith has witnessed the evolution of the patent profession. His legacy, he hopes, will be one of balance, both in work and life, and a reminder that success in the patent profession requires both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the clients’ needs. “I enjoy finding solutions for clients,” Keith reflects, summarising the rewarding nature of a career that has kept him engaged for so many years.
What next for Keith? Keith remains committed to the profession and maintains an energy that belies his years. Experience has enabled Keith to find solutions to clients’ problems quicker than in his early years in the industry.
With a wry smile Keith closed the interview saying, “There is rarely anything that I am presented with today that I haven’t seen before. This means I can get to where the client wants quicker and often for less outlay.”