Spotlight on our people – meet Elizabeth Hickman 

With our spotlight on our people interview series, we shine a light on the people behind the legal expertise. In this instalment, we interviewed Contentious Intellectual Property Solicitor, Elizabeth Hickman. Elizabeth joined the Harper James intellectual property team in April 2024. Before joining Harper James, Elizabeth gained experience at the top 100 law firm Blake Morgan LLP, top tier IP firm Marks & Clerk and has served as Associate Counsel at the global media company IMG. 

How did you begin your career? 

‘I started my legal career by studying psychology at university. I’ve always been interested in understanding human behaviours and the motivations behind people’s actions,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Through a chance meeting with a law student, I started to give a career in the legal sector some thought which sparked my interest in the intersection between psychology and law. Take, for example, witness recollections, juror decision making and negotiation strategies – psychology has a significant part to play. The idea of combining my understanding of human behaviour and the law inspired me to pursue my career and I think this approach has equipped me with a unique perspective.’ 

Has working in the legal industry lived up to your expectations? 

‘Working in the legal industry has largely lived up to – and in many ways – exceeded my expectations, especially in my chosen practice of intellectual property law,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘The varied nature of the work has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career as each case often requires a unique approach, tailored advice and innovative solutions. In the field of intellectual property law, no two days are the same, one day I can be dealing with a start-up business that needs advice on brand protection strategies and the next, I’m advising a national or multi-national on a trade mark dispute.’ 

What are your main areas of Intellectual Property expertise? 

‘I specialise in the full spectrum of IP rights, including trade marks, copyright, design rights, passing off as well as brand strategy and the exploitation and commercialisation of IP rights including assignments and licences.’ 

What were your first impressions of Harper James? What brought you here? 

‘I was lucky enough to be introduced to Harper James through my former colleagues,’ Elizabeth says. ‘They spoke so highly of how the firm operates, the vast variety of clients and the flexibility, so naturally I was keen to be involved.’ 

How have you found working at Harper James so far?  

‘I’ve found working at Harper James to be a positive experience so far,’ says Elizabeth. ‘The varied caseload and client base keeps my work engaging and challenging, allowing me to continually develop and refine my expertise. The firm’s true commitment to flexible working has been invaluable as it has allowed me to maintain a healthy work-life balance without impacting my professional development.’ 

What do you think your clients value most about the way you work with them? 

‘I believe my clients appreciate my commercial focus to deliver meaningful results. I always strive to be empathetic with my clients as building trust and strong relationships is integral to creating a collaborative environment where my clients feel understood, valued and supported. I also aim to be efficient in my approach to every matter I work on to ensure I provide a swift and effective service.’ 

What’s the best piece of legal advice you could give a business? 

‘It’s the tale that stands the test of time: proactively secure and enforce your intellectual property rights to ensure a clear brand protection strategy from the start. Regularly monitor the market for infringements and act swiftly to enforce your rights – that way, you can build a strong brand foundation and reduce the risk of costly legal disputes in the future.’