I hope you have been enjoying the Summer Games and watching great Olympians like Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Noah Lyles, Caleb Dressel, and Gabby Thomas reach new heights in their respective sports. For these Olympians, they haven’t trained for two weeks to be the best at what they do, they have trained rigorously for the past four years and since they were young. Each evening as I watch “Primetime in Paris,” I’ve been struck by the sportsmanship and integrity with which these world-class Olympians have conducted themselves. As trademark lawyers, we too operate in a highly competitive field, where the stakes are high, and the pressure is immense. Yet, much like Olympians, it is our approach to competition and sportsmanship that ultimately defines our success and legacy.
1. The Role of Sportsmanship in Professional Excellence
Olympians are celebrated not just for winning, but for how they win. Their respect for opponents, adherence to rules, and grace in both victory and defeat are central to their legacy. Did you see how Simone Biles is always cheering for her competitors and not tearing them down? For lawyers, sportsmanship translates to professionalism – respecting not only others who practice in the same area, but also the USPTO Examiners and opposing counsel. Professionalism means maintaining integrity in our practice, following the Trademark Rules of Practice, and upholding the ethical standards of our profession. It’s about playing fair, even when we are driven to succeed. There is plenty of business to go around, I assure you. As lawyers, our reputation is everything. If you prioritize sportsmanship and professionalism, that is the gift that will keep on giving.
2. Healthy Competition: Pushing Boundaries and Elevating Performance
In sports, competition drives Olympians to push their limits, setting new world and Olympic records and achieving feats once thought impossible. Similarly, the competitive nature of the legal field should be driving us to excel, innovate, and continually refine our skills through continuing education. However, it’s crucial to view competition as a tool for personal and professional growth, rather than a zero-sum game. When we see our competitors as benchmarks rather than adversaries, we can use their successes to inspire our own improvement. Did you notice in the pool, when a competitor was close, it often spurred an Olympian to swim faster for a medal? Use that same learning for your practice. Healthy competition, underpinned by mutual respect, can help to push your practice to new heights and advance our profession as a whole.
3. Learning from Defeat: The Growth Mindset
Olympians know that losses are part of the journey to greatness. They study and analyze their defeats, learn from their mistakes, and come back stronger. As trademark attorneys, we can apply these same lessons. We are not going to be able to overcome every argument or win every case, but we can learn from them all. By embracing a growth mindset, we can turn setbacks into opportunities for development. It’s not the defeat that defines us; it’s what you do next that counts.
4. Coaching and Collaboration
Olympians rely on coaches to provide guidance, correct mistakes, and push them to new heights. The same is true for trademark attorneys. We all seek feedback, mentorship, guidance, and collaboration to serve a similar purpose. Sadly, few have access to such practical legal training. Trademarkabilities® can help. The Trademarkabilities® Masterclass is a comprehensive course designed to teach attorneys and paralegals how to confidently practice trademark law at the USPTO. We offer group support and have 1:1 coaching available for an additional fee to all who enroll. To learn more, check out our website here.
Conclusion: The Legal Olympian
Just like Olympians, the journey to becoming a confident trademark lawyer involves a dedication to training and the resilience to overcome challenges. By incorporating these athletic principles into your legal practice, you can build a career that’s not only successful but also sustainable and fulfilling.
As we continue to strive for excellence in our profession, let’s take a page from the Olympians’ playbook – train hard, stay focused, and never stop pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.
Stacey C. Kalamaras is the founder and lead instructor of Trademarkabilities®, an online trademark academy for lawyers, whose mission it is to prepare lawyers to be confident and effective practitioners before the USPTO. Stacey started Trademarkabilities to share her passion teaching the law with the next generation of lawyers and help them become practice ready lawyers. Contact us at: hello@trademarkabilities.com.
Stacey is also a seasoned trademark attorney and currently works in-house as Senior Counsel for a multi-national candy company. She previously owned her own solo trademark practice, which she scaled and sold. She has been recognized by her peers for her outstanding knowledge and service in intellectual property law.