Maeve O’Flynn is a partner in the Finnegan London office who works with a wide range of clients in the chemical and pharmaceutical areas. Maeve has more than a decade of in-house experience as a European Patent Attorney at chemical companies, where she was responsible for managing and prosecuting global portfolios, drafting new patent applications, and collaborating with colleagues on matters such as licensing, freedom-to-operate analysis, and due diligence. Her current practice focuses on European patent oppositions (both offensive and defensive), patent prosecution, patent drafting, freedom-to-operate analysis, and due diligence.
She holds a master’s degree in chemistry, with 1stClass Honours, from the University of Oxford, and a certificate in intellectual property law from Queen Mary & Westfield University, University of London. She is admitted to practice law before the European Patent Office and the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Tell us about your practice in your former role and your current practice as a partner?
I have spent most of my career working as an in-house European Patent Attorney. I trained and qualified whilst at Johnson Matthey (a chemical company specializing in precious metals and catalysis), and then I moved to Shell in 2006. At Shell, I was responsible for the patent portfolios and patent strategies of a variety of different businesses, mainly in downstream technology areas. This included plenty of drafting (typically around fourteen new patent applications a year), prosecution of global patent portfolios, freedom-to-operate analyses, and close cooperation with colleagues on matters such as licensing, collaborative ventures and due diligence.
In 2016, I moved from my in-house role at Shell to an associate role in a UK firm of IP professionals. I stayed there three years and then joined Finnegan in 2019 as a partner in the London office. In my current practice I work with a wide range of clients in the chemical and pharmaceutical areas. My work is a mixture of European patent oppositions (both offensive and defensive), patent prosecution, patent drafting, freedom-to-operate analysis and due diligence.
What were/are the best aspects of each role for you?
The best aspect of in-house work is the close contact with colleagues from other parts of the business. You get to know the scientists and engineers really well and develop an in-depth understanding of the technology. You consult closely with the commercial teams and develop IP strategies that directly address commercial objectives.
The best aspect of my current role is the huge opportunity for development and growth. With the great reputation and resources offered by Finnegan, I’m hoping to build on our current client base, attracting new clients in the technology areas that most interest me.
What are some of the most important methods/initiatives for advancing partnership diversity and inclusion?
In the UK, flexible working at senior levels has become more common in recent years, and I think this is a positive development for advancing partnership diversity and inclusion. I am very happy to be employed as a Partner on an 80% basis. I have worked on an 80% basis since having my first child (as has my husband). I don’t think I would have moved on from Shell if there had been no options for flexible working.
"If you’re feeling stuck, don’t be afraid to try something different."
As a woman leader, what are some challenges you overcame during your career path?
I felt somewhat stuck when I returned to work after my third maternity leave. I had great working conditions and great colleagues, but I felt like I had limited opportunities for growth. I received feedback that I was viewed by management as a “safe pair of hands,” and this really annoyed me. I felt that if I stayed where I was, I would still be doing exactly the same thing ten years later.
As a result, I decided to look for a new role. There were very few in-house opportunities at a suitable level, and I was worried that moving to a law firm would not work for me. However, I decided that it was worth finding out, and I made the move. I’m incredibly pleased that I did move on, as it provided exactly the growth opportunities that I wanted.
Who inspires you and why?
I have given several friends the book Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu, as I have found it very inspirational. The subtitle of the book is “Achieving More by Doing Less,” and the logic is that it’s OK to focus on the things that are important to you, instead of trying to do everything.
What advice would you give the next generations of women in intellectual property and current student associates/those in your former role?
Read Drop the Ball (see above). Take advantage of flexible working if it suits you. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t be afraid to try something different.
Introduction by Antoinette Nibbs
