In this series, we introduce some of the people that make up Stephens Scown. We learn about their expertise, what drew them to join the legal profession and find out a little bit about who they are outside of work.
Here we introduce Becky Pickford, Partner in our Intellectual Property and Data Protection Team.
Can you share with us a little bit about your role and a typical day?
May seem stereotypical but no two days are the same! I manage a great team spanning both specialisms of our team. Most days consist of supervising and catching up with various members of the team, working on more complex IP litigation cases and large portfolios that we manage for our clients.
Why did you choose to specialise in your area of law?
I started working in reception at Stephens Scown and highlighted a couple of different teams that I wanted to work within. After beginning as a secretary within the IP/DP team, I got more and more involved in client facing work, moving to a paralegal role and then training through the firm. Both facets of our team have some really fascinating and ever-changing areas of work, from protecting people rights in data protection and ensuring our clients compliance, to the creative and brand focus that IP has. With technology as one of our key sectors, the law in this area is always evolving which keeps it really exciting.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is developing people in our team and within the firm through my role on the training panel. Having trained through a non-traditional route at the firm, I feel I am best placed to help those going through alternative routes. For example, Olivia in our team has just qualified as the first Trade Mark Attorney that the firm has supported in training and we have a number of colleagues going through their Cilex training that I meet up with regularly.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be and why?
I think I would have been a jeweller, I have made my own before and would have loved to move to more precious stones and metals. I am a self-confessed magpie, I love anything that sparkles!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I love rummaging through vintage/antique places and love to peruse a garden centre (especially around Christmas!).
What does it mean to work for Stephens Scown, what makes us different?
I think the best part of the firm is the people. I have made friends for life from working here and believe this is our biggest differentiator and benefit. This is reflected in the firm’s culture and through initiatives such as Employee Ownership and BCorp which ensure people are central to the success of the business.