From Batman to Barbie: My Journey through MLO’s Evolution
From Batman to Barbie: My Journey through MLO’s Evolution
Overview
Back in 2006, I was just another IP attorney, clocking in one day a week at client sites, helping them navigate their intellectual property needs. Serving as a fractional IP attorney was solid work, the kind that rarely made headlines but was crucial for my clients’ success. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was there to serve and help them get the right IP support. But what began as a small consulting gig has now evolved, eighteen years later, into something bigger—a custom IP solutions firm. Along the way, I’ve learned that the best journeys are often the ones you don’t plan.
The Call to Adventure
It all started with a friend’s nudge. At the time, I was a solo practitioner, focused on keeping things lean and manageable. But I quickly realized that my clients were juggling multiple IP law firms, each with its own processes and quirks. Around then, my friend Grace reached out, hinting that maybe I should consider expanding. It was tempting, but honestly, I wasn’t thrilled at the idea. Growth brings complexity, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. But Grace was persistent, and ultimately, I listened. I brought her on as my first team member, and she became my go-to Operations Manager.
The First Pivot
My client roster expanded, and with it, the need for top-notch IP expertise. One day, an old law school friend contacted me looking for some patent work. Eager to help, I sent a few projects his way. Later, he went in-house at Mattel and reached out again with an offer to send their patent work my way. By then, I had my sights set on startups and kept my practice intentionally small, so I thanked him and politely declined. I was sticking to my original plan. That’s when I thought my journey would stay on its simple path.
The Twist: Enter Batman
But my friend didn’t give up. Not long after, he called back with news: Mattel was working on a new line of Batman toys for an upcoming film, and he wondered if I’d like to work on some of the patents. Now, Batman has been my favorite superhero since childhood. There’s something timeless about a hero who relies on intellect, gadgets, and sheer determination to save the day. When I heard that one of the new toys was a motorcycle that popped out of the Batmobile, I couldn’t resist. I had to know how they planned to pull it off.
So I took the project. And just like that, everything changed. This wasn’t the small practice I’d imagined, but the excitement of working with a brand like Mattel—and a character like Batman—was the thrill I didn’t know I needed.
The Second Pivot: From Batman to Barbie
With the Batman project under my belt, Mattel started sending more work our way, and suddenly, we were handling patents for a range of high-profile toys. Soon, Barbie came into the picture. There was something surreal about jumping from the Dark Knight to Malibu Dreamhouses, but with each new project, we were growing, and I was learning that flexibility was as essential as expertise. Every pivot brought new clients, new team members, and new opportunities that broadened our skillset and refined our systems. The thrill of it all was that none of it was planned.
Lessons from the Journey
Looking back, there were no guarantees. I could have stayed the course as a one-person operation. I could have turned down that second call from my friend at Mattel, missing out on some of the most rewarding projects of my career. But every new step opened doors I didn’t even know were there.
The journey taught me a few things I hold close:
Embrace the unexpected. Some of the best opportunities don’t fit neatly into our plans.
Value your relationships. Trusting friends, colleagues, and clients along the way can lead to incredible partnerships.
Stay passionate. Whether it’s Batman, Barbie, or something entirely unexpected, enthusiasm fuels growth.
Sometimes, we’re like Batman, relying not on superpowers but on our own wits, determination, and a bit of courage to take on the unknown. The journey may have taken me from behind-the-scenes IP work to high-profile clients, but the core mission remains the same: to protect and empower the ideas that shape our world.