We interview Vanessa Perez-Ramos, an IP attorney at Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch (BSKB) in Washington DC, USA. She joined BSKB in 2025 and became a FICPI member this year. She discusses her journey into intellectual property, what drew her back to BSKB, and the opportunities and challenges facing IP practitioners in the USA.
“As a prominent firm in IP law, we believe that we have a duty to uphold and advance the field of intellectual property law. Through our partnership with FICPI, we can contribute to the development of best practices while staying at the forefront of emerging trends in the industry. At BSKB, we believe innovation is strengthened through collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
“Sponsoring FICPI aligns with our commitment to fostering innovation and sharing expertise. This sponsorship also provides us with a valuable opportunity to engage with other IP professionals worldwide and strengthen our network within the international IP community.”
Tell us about your career and your move into intellectual property
I am a Chemical Engineer, and started my IP career as a Patent Examiner with the USPTO. While working at the Patent Office, I was very inspired by and in awe of the world of IP, and decided to go to law school to become a Patent Attorney. For several years, I worked full-time as a Patent Agent while also attending law school in the evenings. After graduating from law school and becoming a Patent Attorney, I have had the opportunity to work in IP boutiques, nationally ranked full-service law firms, and as in-house counsel for an international company (and have loved every minute of it!).
IP protection is critical in the field of (chemical) engineering. By its very nature, engineering is all about novel ideas, inventions, breakthroughs, innovation… As IP attorneys, we help our clients protect those ideas and inventions, leverage and grow their assets, and defend these assets against unauthorised uses and infringements. It’s a very exciting area in which to work!
I have worked in the IP field for 20 years now and one of the most significant developments during that time has been the United States’ transition from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file”. There have also been substantial changes in terms of USPTO procedures and rules, as well as many changes in patent laws that shape our daily practice.
What attracted you to join (rejoin) BSKB?
I first came to the firm as a Summer Intern during my first year of law school. I stayed on as a Patent Agent while attending law school at night, and started my “official” Patent Attorney career with them. BSKB has always felt like “home” to me, so rejoining BSKB last year felt very much like a “homecoming”, and I am delighted to be back!
What made you decide to join FICPI?
BSKB has been an active member of FICPI for many years, with some of our partners having served or currently serving in leadership roles within the organisation. It is clear that being part of FICPI has enhanced their careers and allowed them to build professional and personal relationships they might not have been able to build and foster otherwise. These were significant factors in my decision to join FICPI, and I look forward to many years of growth, professional development, and meaningful professional connections.
Could you introduce us to BSKB and tell us more about the practice?
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB) is an internationally recognised intellectual property (IP) law firm focused on obtaining, protecting and enforcing IP rights.
The firm provides a full range of IP services, including patent prosecution, post-grant proceedings, litigation, opinions and counselling, design patents, trade marks and licensing. Our knowledgeable attorneys and agents hold advanced degrees and are experienced in the fields of chemistry, life sciences/biotechnology, electronics and IT, mechanical engineering and trade marks.
What opportunities or challenges do you see affecting IP attorneys and the IP field in the USA?
Our field is ripe with opportunities and challenges that affect our day-to-day work, long-term strategies, and everything in between. It remains challenging to obtain patents in the USA compared with other countries, so that is a challenge that affects us on a daily basis. As another example, women are still underrepresented in the IP field in the US, so closing that gap is both a challenge and an opportunity, and BSKB is active in the DEIA space.
How is your firm using AI?
AI is having an increasing impact on the legal industry, and we are keeping a close eye on how it can be used effectively and responsibly. Given the confidential nature of our clients’ matters and the importance of accuracy in patent and trade mark work, we are taking a thoughtful approach and will continue to evaluate tools that can provide meaningful benefits while maintaining the security and quality of work our clients expect. While AI is not yet widely embedded in our day-to-day operations, we continue to evaluate opportunities for it to improve administrative efficiency and other internal processes.
Why has BSKB chosen to sponsor FICPI rather than another IP organisation?
BSKB’s relationship with FICPI spans many years and reflects a shared commitment to advancing the global intellectual property community. Through leadership positions, committee service, and active participation at both the national and international levels, our Partners have had the privilege of helping shape meaningful dialogue within the profession. Having experienced firsthand the connections, collaboration, and insight that FICPI fosters, we are proud to support its mission and remain an engaged contributor to its continued success.
Thank you Vanessa! We look forward to seeing you, Partners Chad Billings and MaryAnne Armstrong, and Client Relations and Marketing Coordinator Mary Kate Hicks, at the FICPI Open Forum in Budapest (16-19 September 2026).
