Virtuoso Performance

With our trip to the Recruiter Awards for Excellence on the horizon we thought we would catch up with another award winner and industry ranked leader in their field. Elizabeth Ward is the Principal of Virtuoso Legal who are one of UK’s leading Intellectual Property practises. Elizabeth has been ranked in Chambers since 2008 and last year Virtuoso were named Law Firm of the Year at the Halsbury Legal Awards 2014. 

1. Please tell us about your firm.

Virtuoso Legal is a boutique practice with offices in Leeds and a virtual one in London. All we do is intellectual property and information technology law. Mind you that is quite a wide field in today’s economy.

2. What was the driving force behind setting up Virtuoso?

I set up on my own as I felt and indeed I still feel that lawyers do not service their clients properly. The whole legal system, legal practices and structures need a drastic overhaul. I didn’t feel able to do that in a practice that was run along traditional lines.

3. It is widely commented that Virtuoso Legal is the UK’s leading IP practice; the ‘go to’ firm for IP Infringement claims and IP Audits. How does this make you feel?

I’m delighted that clients view us so positively. It was the glowing reports from our clients that helped us achieve the national Halsbury awards.

4. And how is business?

Business is booming – we’ve doubled our turnover and profit and we’re set to do that again in 2015.

5. How long have you been Chambers rated?

I’ve been ranked in Chambers since 2008. I’m really pleased that Kirsten Toft – Vice Principal at Virtuoso Legal is now also ranked as a Leader in her Field. Kirsten has worked hard and she is very accomplished.

6. We also note that you are one of only very few experts in the UK who are qualified to undertake Search orders – tell us about this niche area and why you made it your area of expertise

Search orders and electronic disclosures are two specialist interests of mine. I’m quite geeky actually and having a scientific background helps me understand technology and solve problems forensically.

7. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I actually love running a business. It is a constant challenge. I love seeing my clients improve their results as a result of our advice and I enjoy seeing my staff develop themselves.

8. Tell us about your landmark/most interesting case - the one that really stands out for you. Why was it so significant?

Without doubt my landmark case was back in 2003 with Cyprotex v University of Sheffield. This went to the Court of Appeal. It marked out in my mind how IP is so overlooked by those that have created it. My clients were quite modest unassuming scientists and hadn’t understood the commercial value of what they’d created.

9. What are the main challenges facing IP legal practitioners at the moment?

The big challenge for IP in business is that the fact that it is poorly understood and undervalued. It IS the core asset of most modern businesses but is not treated in that way.

10. Who’s been the biggest influence on your career and why?

A number of people have influenced my career but my first boss Chris Tulley at DLA was not just a talented lawyer but he taught me to swear and had a dry sense of humour. Being able to express yourself in these ways is a useful tool when things get stressful. Chris Ward at Keeble Hawson also taught me the power of humanity when dealing with distressed people.

11. What has been your greatest achievement so far in life?

My greatest achievement has been adopting Kate-Lyn. Children bring perspective on life.

12. What's the best advice you could give an ambitious Solicitor at the start of their legal career?

There are few opportunities these days for young lawyers, but always do what you love and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

13. Your first degree was in Genetics and Cell Biology and you forged a career in the Healthcare industry before completing your Law degree – what changed your mind?

I love science – I still do. However, as I didn’t live in the London area my healthcare career was limited and I couldn’t get promotion unless I moved. So I changed my career path.

14. Did you initially want to be a Scientist?

I was a scientist – I even did some scientific research on antibiotics. However, I found a lot of lab work was quite tedious and routine. I also liked helping people directly.

15. You are a Founder Member of the Big Bookend (a Leeds Book Festival). Tell us about this and why did you set it up?

I set up the Big Bookend as I’m passionate about kids reading. As a child I read lots of things – my favourite was the newspaper and current affairs. If you are well informed you can really help yourself and overcome lots of barriers.

16. Tell us also about the book you are soon to publish – ‘If you’re so clever why aren’t you rich? – 10 steps to take your genius to the bank’

My book is all about IP in business and WHY it is so valuable. It is all about my soapbox on this subject.

17. Tell us about you – your childhood, education, career history, family and hobbies etc.

I was lucky enough to have a wonderful childhood. We had very little money but I had two parents who told me that the World was my oyster and that I should explore it and understand it. Who could want for more in life? There are really no limits to what you can achieve, provided you believe in yourself.

Thanks Elizabeth