Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy has been elected as The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorney’s (CITMA) President.
Rachel, who is a partner at Baker McKenzie, begins her two-year term in the role immediately. She was voted in unanimously by CITMA’s Council and succeeds Richard Goddard.
In addition to Rachel’s election Kelly Saliger (CMS UK) has been elected as CITMA First Vice-President and Dan Hardman-Smart (Stobbs) as Second Vice-President/Treasurer.
Following her election Rachel said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be elected into this role and trusted by my peers in this way. It will be a demanding two years, but I am ready for the challenge.
“Rights of representation before the UK IPO is a live issue for our members and the IP sector, and one that I am determined to take forward.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with the UK IPO through my role on the Law and Practice Committee. I want to ensure the views of the trademark legal profession continue to be heard by the UK IPO and that the best outcome is achieved from its ongoing digital transformation project.
“Further strengthening ties internationally with WIPO, the EUIPO and registries and professional bodies across the globe will be vital in helping our profession to continue to thrive in a global IP system.
“Also, I will work to continue to empower newly qualified practitioners to embrace taking advantage of the full range of their advocacy and litigation rights, as well as ensuring the trademark attorney profession is at the forefront of attracting diverse new talent.”
Rachel is a partner within the Intellectual Property Department of the London office of Baker McKenzie. She became a partner in 2021 and has been with the firm since 2007.
Prior to being elected as CITMA President, Rachel has served for two years each as Second Vice-President/Treasurer, and most recently as First Vice-President. Rachel is also Chair of CITMA’s Law & Practice Committee.
Rachel joined CITMA as a Student member in 2004 while working as a legal secretary for a boutique trade mark firm. She qualified as a trade mark attorney in 2010 and obtained higher courts litigation rights in 2013.
The President has responsibility for the policy and direction of CITMA and its liaison with UK government officials and international organisations.
About CITMA
Founded in 1934, chartered in 2016, the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is a professional membership organisation with the power to shape law and practice – nationally and internationally.
It represents the interests of over 1,700 trade mark and design professionals, and fights to bring recognition to the work they do.
CITMA also feeds their enthusiasm for the profession through regular conferences and events, professional development courses, newsletters, social media debate and the CITMA Review.
Its community of members includes fully qualified trade mark attorneys, those in training and support roles, and barristers and solicitors with a trade mark or design interest working around the world.
CITMA has legal responsibility for regulating the trade mark attorney profession, which is delegated to the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg).
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