Bernd Holzgartner

What has your career at 2SPL been like so far?

During my training as a patent attorney, I moved from another Munich IP law firm to 2SPL and completed my training here. After a few years as an employed patent attorney, I was made a partner.

Why did you choose 2SPL?

During my training, I met a patent attorney candidate from 2SPL who was very enthusiastic about her nice colleagues and bosses. That sounded like a very pleasant working environment to me, and I actually got on very well with my colleagues at 2SPL right from the start.

Is there an experience at 2SPL that in particular stands out?

During my interview, it turned out that Klaus, one of the founding partners of 2SPL, and I were both working on the COMPASS experiment at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

As we worked on the experiment at different times, we only got to know each other at 2SPL. However, this similarity immediately created a certain understanding and was a funny ice-breaker.

Why did you decide to become a patent attorney?

I probably felt the same way as many physicists: You are always told that you can do anything as a physicist, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what you can do as a physicist outside of university. When I was looking for an internship during my studies, I came across the patent attorney profession rather by chance.

Dealing with complex technical issues made the profession very appealing to me, so after graduating and gaining my first practical experience, I quickly began training to become a patent attorney.

What do you particularly like about your job?

Since we are dealing with inventions that should be new by definition, I am constantly encountering new technical challenges.

The ability not only to understand these, but also to present them to third parties in an understandable way, makes my job interesting for me all round. It never gets boring because every invention is unique.

What does your working day normally look like?

A large part consists of classic patent attorney work such as drafting patent applications, processing office actions, conducting opposition proceedings or advising clients. In my role as a partner, I also take on tasks such as training candidates and acting as a mentor to junior colleagues.

I am also actively involved in various tasks relating to the further development of the firm. This includes, for example, marketing activities and the optimization of law firm processes.

What do you particularly like about 2SPL?

I particularly appreciate the flat hierarchies at 2SPL, which make it possible to address problems openly and contribute your own ideas. The corporate culture is characterized by a down-to-earth attitude. You won’t find any arrogant superiors or colleagues here.

Another aspect that I really like is the freedom to organize my work. For example, in the main I have the flexibility to decide where I work from.

What three words would you use to describe 2SPL?

Unpretentious, innovative and pragmatic.