PROFILE: Susan J. Keri Susan J. Keri is a barrister, solicitor, registered trademark agent and partner with Bereskin & Parr LLP. She has practiced exclusively in the area of trademark law since her call to the Ontario Bar in 1986. Susan’s practice extends to all areas of trademark law, and mostly relates to the protection and management of large trademark portfolios for multi-national corporations in all industry sectors, with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical field. Susan is a frequent speaker on trademark law at various national and international organizations and has written extensively in various publications and contributed the Canadian chapter on Pharmaceutical Trademarks in the World Trademark Review Global Guide for the past several years. Susan is an active member of numerous organizations involved in trademark law and practice including the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), Pharmaceutical Trademark Group and the Canadian Bar Association. She is also a member of the International Trademark Association and currently serves as an editor on the Trademark Reporter Committee. Susan is fluent in the Hungarian language and has a sound working knowledge of French. Where were you brought up and educated? I was born and raised in Canada (Montreal and Toronto), and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Politics, and from Queen’s University with a degree in law. Both of my parents, however, came to Canada from Hungary just before I was born and, as a result, I had a very traditional European upbringing. In fact, Hungarian is my mother tongue. Typical of many first generation Canadians, I feel as connected to my Hungarian/European roots as I do to my Canadian nationality. Meticulous, perceptive, epicurean. What was (were) your best subject(s) at school? Literature and languages. I particularly loved studying languages - it’s the key to understanding a culture. What do you do at weekends? I spend quality time with friends and family, try to take long walks with my dogs, cook good food and enjoy nice wines. Which book or books are you currently reading? I just completed Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis, winner of the Giller Prize – the most prestigious Canadian literary award. It’s a very insightful and original piece of literature - more about human behaviour than dogs. What is your favourite children’s book? Charlotte’s Web by the American author E.B. White. I’ve since had trouble eating pigs and never step on spiders. What’s the best thing about your job? The incredible people I have met along the way from all over the globe, many of whom have become my dearest friends. How did you become involved in trade marks? Trade mark law was not taught when I attended law school, and was very much a “niche” speciality at that time. It was precisely because of its “niche” status, and also its growing global relevance, that I was drawn to the field, and was fortunate to have been offered a trade mark associate position in an international law firm after completing my articling year. Much of my practice involved the protection and management of large trade mark portfolios for many national and international companies, which made for a very challenging and exciting start to my legal career, and I have practised exclusively in the field of trade mark law ever since. Which music recording would you take with you to a desert island? Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. What is comfort eating for you? Some of the Hungarian foods my grandmother would make, like chicken paprika with nokedli (known as spätzle in German), and palacsinta (those wonderfully thin, sweet, cheese filled, crepes). What is your favourite drink? A very dry vodka martini, with extra olives. What is your favourite work of art? Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. I first saw this painting as a young girl with my family when we visited the del Prado museum in Madrid, and am mesmerized by it to this day. What is a common misperception of you? Some people see me as being reserved or even distant, when in fact, I am really quite shy. What is your favourite holiday destination? Southern Spain is near and dear to my heart, having spent many summers there with my family. I also love to eat and drink my way through Tuscany. What is the best age to be? The best age to be is the age that you are now. We need to live in the present – not the past or the future. What would you have done if you hadn’t become involved in intellectual property? If I had the luxury of choice, I would probably have worked at an animal sanctuary somewhere in Africa. What is your philosophy in a nutshell? Everything in the world is replaceable except people. Take time to appreciate the people you love. Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? Exactly the same place I am now! What do you like, even though it’s not fashionable? Printing. I am ashamed to say it, but I really do prefer to read from paper. Which three words would you use to describe yourself? What is your weakness? Dogs! © 2016 The Pharmaceutical Trade Marks G ro up C irculated fo r info rmatio n o nly to PTMG Members. The G ro up takes no respo nsibility fo r the co ntents Edito r: Vanessa Parker Tel.: +33 679 316 860 email: vparkerco rdier@w anado o .fr 11