4 minute read
Intellectual Property Problem Solver
NICHOLAS B. HAWKINS
Chair, MSBA's Intellectual Property Section Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Nicholas Hawkins began his legal career as an in-house attorney with the Baltimore-based sports apparel giant, Under Armour. Now an associate with Womble Bond Dickinson LLP, Nicholas works with companies of all sizes by assisting them with intellectual property management, private equity and venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate governance. In addition, Nicholas serves as the Chair of the MSBA Intellectual Property Section (“IP Section”) for the 2020-21 Bar Year. We sat down with Nicholas to learn a little more about his career and what’s on the horizon for the IP Section.
Why did you enter the legal profession?
Honestly, I think the writing was on the wall when my grandmother told me that I was going to be a lawyer when I was around 10, probably because I enjoyed arguing. I generally enjoy finding creative ways to solve people’s/company’s problems and helping them achieve their desired result. I felt that being a lawyer was the best way for me to do that.
What is your fondest memory of your legal career so far?
Not quite a single memory, but I generally enjoyed starting my legal career in-house at Under Armour and learning so much from the legal and business teams. I believe that starting in-house made me a better firm lawyer as I am able to efficiently spot client issues and anticipate how a specific course of action may affect the client’s bottom line.
Tell us a little bit about your current role.
I am currently splitting my time in the IP and Corporate and Securities practice groups. On the IP side, I help clients with trademark portfolio management, clearance searches, trademark enforcement and maintenance, copyright filings and copyright enforcement. In the Corporate group, I help clients with private equity and venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate governance. This is an interesting hybrid, but gives me the ability to continue the work I’ve done in IP over the years and also grow in M&A and corporate governance work. For tech and other IP heavy corporate clients, there are opportunities for cross-practice work, which benefits the client and helps me grow my practice. The two practice groups tend to overlap a bit with licenses and IP related agreements.
What are some of the challenges you face in your current role?
After being in-house for 4 years, I do miss having direct contact with the client and sitting in on strategic planning meetings. Being in private practice can sometimes be more of a “put out fires” role, than “prevent fires,” but I always look for ways to create added value for clients by being involved earlier in their planning processes.
What do you do to unwind/ de-stress?
I exercise regularly. Yoga in the mornings and then weights at night. I also find time to read something non-legal to give my mind an escape.
What’s an interesting fact about you that no one would guess?
I’m really into plants. I have a mini jungle in my house. Relaxing in my “jungle” helps me de-stress after a busy day.
What’s a cause or charity that you are passionate about?
I have a passion for the arts and enjoy working with the arts communities in Baltimore and beyond. I was involved with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts for a while and am currently a Board Member of Baltimore Clayworks.
What is the one piece of advice you would give someone in law school or considering a legal career?
I would encourage anyone who is considering a law career to be open to new challenges and opportunities that may not seem so aligned with their “chosen” path. I started my law career as a plaintiff’s asbestos paralegal and now am an IP attorney with both in-house and firm experience in 5 years. You never know where the path may take you, but you have to be flexible to get the most out of the experiences.
You are the incoming Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section for 2020-21, what are your goals for the Section this year?
COVID has changed how many of us interact with each other, so our goal is to find ways to interact and connect with each other safely, and continue to share updates and best practices in the IP profession to help each of our practices.
Why do you think it is important for attorneys to be involved with the Maryland State Bar Association and its various Sections?
The MSBA provides many resources and opportunities for practitioners to be better lawyers, and provides a valuable network of practitioners, judges, law students, and friends of the legal profession.
