How I Made It to Leadership: 'Choose the Right Organization Aligned with Your Interests and Abilities,' Says John Paul of Finnegan

Law.com interviewed Finnegan partner John Paul to discuss his career as an intellectual property (IP) attorney and the steps that led him to serve in leadership positions with the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). 

John shared that upon assuming his current LESI leadership position, the biggest change in his daily routine has been “the amount of time required and the number of leaders to support and manage across the organization.”

For those looking to ascend into a leadership role, John’s advice focuses on these points:

• Choose the right organization aligned with your interests and abilities.
• Understand the organization and its people.
• Learn from them and find mentors to advise and support you.
• Set a career path in the organization and be nimble.
• Put the interests of the organization above your personal and professional interests.
• Have fun and make it fun for others.

John said that “Pat O’Reilley, retired partner at Finnegan and former president of LES International, a friend, mentor, and role model” was his greatest influence in helping to propel his career to a leadership role. 

The accomplishment John is most proud of is, “Establishing industry advisory boards to develop industry communities and to guide and support corresponding LESI committees in identifying topics and speakers in the areas of creating, protecting, and commercializing innovation and managing and monetizing IP.”

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