Dr Anna Molony has recently been awarded ‘2022 Patents Lawyer of the Year’ by ‘Lawyer Monthly’ for her work in co-founding Two IP and pioneering a new type of firm for the IP profession.
The Lawyer monthly awards recognise the achievements of both law firms and individuals who have delivered exceptional results over the last 12 months.
Anna was awarded the accolade in recognition of the innovation and passion she has shown for providing an alternative career option for experienced attorneys who want to be able to focus on doing the work they love, in a way that allows them the time to truly understand what their clients need, while enjoying real work-life balance.
She was driven to set up Two IP based on her experience of creating a working life which allowed her to continue building her career whilst enjoying more free time. She has previously built two successful IP firms and so understands what it takes to build a business and is uniquely positioned to use that learning to benefit others. She also recognized that having a good work/life balance was an unusual position to be in, but it didn’t have to be. Two IP has been built to make this lifestyle a very real option for others in the profession.
From doing her PhD research to founding and growing two successful IP firms, Anna has always been a keen innovator. She believes in thinking differently and is driven to use what she has learned as an attorney, and in business, to create a better way of working for patent and trade mark attorneys.
Two IP is the first patent and trade mark firm in the UK operating this new model, though a similar model has been being successfully used for a number of UK solicitors firms. It was the success of these new breed consultancy model solicitors firms that inspired Anna to work out how to adapt and develop that model so that it could work for patent and trade mark attorneys.
In addition to Two IP providing all the infrastructure and support services that an attorney needs to do their client work, Anna prides herself on providing business and mentoring support to the attorneys who choose to join Two IP. It has been this mentoring element of the firm’s offer that has been considered so valuable for individuals looking to make a change in their professional and personal life:
“I knew I wanted to change my working life to allow me to pursue interests outside of work but without compromising on my career success. Anna’s experience and genuine desire to support and help her colleagues in the profession was a key driver for my choosing to join Two IP”
Anna is a successful patent attorney in her own right with technical specialisms including telecommunications systems, optical technologies, RFID and software. Working with UK and EU in-house patent departments and technology companies to help them protect and effectively commercialise their innovations and R&D investment. She continues to work for a select group of clients along side building and growing Two IP.
In line with the Two IP ethos she also has a thriving life outside of work. She is the Senior Independent Director of Bowls England (the national governing body for lawn bowls) and a keen lawn bowls player, including playing for the Warwickshire county team.
