Nemone Franks

Nemone joined Linklaters as a trainee in 1998 and became a partner in the Intellectual Property department in 2008.
As a trainee she spent time on two secondments, including one in Brussels.

Looking back, moving forward.

It seems like only yesterday that I was at the beginning of my legal career. As a trainee, I was fortunate enough to experience both a secondment to a client and a secondment to our office in Brussels. Those experiences taught me a great deal; about both the importance of understanding client expectations and of being able to work effectively in an international environment (even back in 1999, the competition/antitrust practice in Brussels was comprised of practitioners from many jurisdictions).

I still remember the day that I was accepted to qualify into the Intellectual Property department. The practice area in which you qualify shapes your legal career. The excitement of being able to qualify into the practice area with which I felt the most affinity hasn’t lost its shine despite having taken place quite some time ago. For me, this was as significant a career highlight as being invited to be a partner.

I’ve enjoyed a varied career on my way to partnership. My IP career started with patent and trade mark litigation and trade mark portfolio management; I enjoyed a nine-month client secondment to the Diamond Trading Company/De Beers in 2004 – 2005; but my focus over the last few years has been on providing IP advice on transactions and commercial agreements. I enjoy interacting with my corporate and banking colleagues on transactions.

Client success isn’t our only success.

I’m one of four partners that sit on the firm’s London Diversity Working Group. Along with representatives from the associate, managing associate, counsel bodies and business services, we work together as a team to explore issues relating to diversity. The LDWG has responsibility for identifying, researching, piloting, promoting and implementing initiatives which will help to maintain and promote a diverse and inclusive culture.

There’s variety, wherever you look.

To have a career at Linklaters is to experience a truly global law firm. The people who work here are as diverse as our international client base. The work we undertake is no less varied. Our people are enthusiastic about the benefits, in terms of experience, that flexibility can bring. As a managing associate, I had the opportunity to spend time in our New York office working with our New York team - a fantastic experience.