25 years of EIP 🎂

25 Years of EIP: A Message from CEO, Magnus Hallin

This year marks a major milestone as EIP celebrates its 25th anniversary—a moment to reflect on our journey, achievements, and the incredible community that made it all possible. In this special message, CEO Magnus Hallin shares his thoughts on EIP’s evolution, its enduring impact, and the exciting future ahead.

What’s your career story?

I am a Swedish lawyer that in the early parts of my career had an idea that IP was going to become increasingly important so after a few years as a clerk in a court and associate in a law firm, I joined an IP firm in Sweden. That ended up being a good move as IP gradually became much more important and valued. After some years working as a lawyer there, I started to head up a legal team and some firm wide groups. After around ten years the role of CEO became vacant and I was asked whether I wanted to be part of the recruitment process. And somehow I was chosen for the role. That was a huge change for me back then and my focus switched to leadership from client work. I was in that role for over twelve exciting years where the firm expanded internationally and grew in many other ways. But after well over twenty years in the same firm, it was time for something else. And that something else was EIP four plus years ago which I am very happy for, although some have probably been saying - "How did a Swede end up with that job?"

How did you get your job as CEO of EIP?

A mutual contact introduced me to EIP. I was looking for my next challenge and EIP's CEO had left some time ago and although I understand EIP was not actively looking for a replacement, the timing seemed to be right. I really enjoyed the conversations I had with EIP and what I learnt about the company too. I had family in Sweden and could not move full time to the UK but as we agreed I did not have to move across full time, this worked for me. I was used to travelling all the time from my previous role, so a bit of commuting was not a problem.

What does reaching the 25-year milestone mean to you?

I obviously have not been with EIP from the start, but it is a significant milestone that we should and will celebrate. However, we cannot be bound by too much tradition. EIP is bold and pioneering. Even if we have now been around for 25 years and are now one of the leading firms in the UK with offices in US, Germany and Sweden, we must never cease to innovate and develop.

What significant growth have you seen during our last 25 years?

Again I have not seen it all myself but EIP has had some impressive growth since its start. As EIP focused on direct clients we have not been as visible in the IP world as many other firms, but over time the awareness of the impressive work and high value cases by many impressive individuals at all levels, has made EIP stand out in the market in many ways. Today we are one of the strongest mixed practices with an excellent reputation.

Where do you see EIP in the next 25 years?

Our vision is to become the most respected provider of patent services in the world. In 25 years we should be there or at least very close to reaching that vision. With our focus on high value work, strong digital solutions and being fast moving, I believe we have a better position than most firms to fully enter the age of AI which we are only seeing the very beginning of. Exactly what the world and the IP market looks like in 25 years no one can possibly know, so willingness to change and use the tools that are and will become available, will be critical.

How has the company adapted to changes in the industry over the past 25 years?

I think how EIP was set up from the start, with focus on direct clients, commercial and strategic advice and not high volume work, as well as high digital focus and well functioning systems, it was already prepared for some of the changes the IP industry underwent in that period. EIP had already adapted to the changes that later came. The belief in and investment in strong support teams have also played a key role. It is also in the EIP culture to be pioneering and seek out new opportunities as and when we see them. But we can never rest on our laurels. There is constant change.

What role have former employees played in shaping the company’s culture and success?

A company is a way for people to collaborate towards a common goal. The people in the company change over time but everyone that has been in the company has contributed to the company in one way or another towards that common goal and the people's behaviour at each point in time make up the culture of the company. Some former employees have been here a shorter time but some have been here a long time and have had a big role in shaping the company's culture and success even if they are not with the company today. There have been so many exceptional individuals that have worked in EIP. For that we are very grateful. Some have also chosen to come back after trying something else and gaining new experiences. We also like that!

Looking back, what were some of the most defining moments in the company’s journey?

I think the initial idea and the initial team behind EIP in the early years, really set EIP on a great trajectory. The IP industry was conservative and slow moving so EIP was something new. The high and early digitalisation was also a key factor which prepared us for intra office collaboration, initially across the UK, and remote working, many years before anyone had even heard of Covid. Some of the early clients that EIP started working for has also been defining. The quality work and energy that went into those clients and cases laid the foundation for multiple other clients and some of the biggest cases we have worked on, as many stemmed from the same network. The starting of litigation in 2011 was of huge importance and also opening up the office in Dusseldorf for German litigation, which has now also positioned us well for the UPC. Opening the US office was a unique and bold move in the largest IP market in the world. Our combined US and Europe offering is still unique. And more recently opening the Swedish office and being more active in the Nordics and taking further steps in our internationalisation.

My career advice is not to be focused on the career. Just focus on doing your very best in the role you have at the moment and say yes to and volunteer for new opportunities. And work with people that you can learn from and believe in you. Earlier in my career I met people that were really targeted to reach a certain position. I never had such a target. I just worked (but quite hard) and opportunities came along. Obviously, you have to have some kind of idea of where your interests lie and what your strengths are but otherwise it is about doing a great job and people will (and should) see that.

Some pictures from our recent Annual Review!