Finnegan partner David Mroz shares how he feels the DC legal market will evolve and why being surrounded by government entities is a great thing for an IP lawyer.
Chambers Associate: What do you think the DC legal market will look like in five years’ time?
David Mroz: The pandemic has forced attorneys to work from home who might otherwise have never tried it. Many of these attorneys will find that they work well remotely and thus will be more inclined to make remote work part of their practice moving forward, at least to some extent. In five years, it will be more essential than it is now for law firms in DC to accommodate remote-working arrangements if they want to recruit and retain top talent. The trick will be doing so in a way that does not compromise the firm’s culture and traditions, which are often promoted through in-person activities.
"...these can be opportunities associated with one’s employment, or less formal experiences, such as attending a happy hour where a member of Congress offers remarks about an IP bill they are trying to pass."
CA: What do you think are the main pull factors to the DC market for law students and lateral talent?
DM: While the legal market is changing in many ways, I believe what brings law students to the DC area remains the same. DC is a hub of IP law, largely because several government entities that impact IP law are located here, such as the Federal Circuit, USPTO, and ITC. As a result, DC provides opportunities and experiences for IP attorneys that do not exist in other cities. These can be opportunities associated with one’s employment, or less formal experiences, such as attending a happy hour where a member of Congress offers remarks about an IP bill they are trying to pass.
