The Duncan Cotterill partner thought she would be in a policy or a diplomatic role
Katy Rostovitch (nee Stove) only elected to study law as a “practical” complement to her real passion: her Japanese major, having fallen in love with the country during a year-long stay while in high school.
However, the intellectuality of the law won her heart as well – particularly IP law. In the first part of this December interview conducted after Rostovitch’s appointment to partner at Duncan Cotterill, she talks her love of mentoring, and being your own biggest advocate.
I initially chose to study law as a complement to my BA. I knew I wanted to major in Japanese after living in Japan for a year during high school, but I thought pairing it with something more “practical” would be a smart move. At the time, I didn’t know any lawyers and assumed I might end up in a policy or diplomatic role — similar to what some of my friends’ parents did. However, as I progressed through my law degree, I found myself enjoying the intellectual challenge of the degree, and by the time I finished, a legal career, particularly in IP law, felt like the perfect fit.
One of my favourite aspects of the job is still the intellectual challenge it brings, but I also love mentoring and teaching younger lawyers coming through — it’s incredibly rewarding to help the next generation grow and succeed.
I guess the proudest accomplishment in the last year would have to be making partner at Duncan Cotterill (and making it to the end of that year)!
The biggest lesson of my career is that good things don’t come to those who wait — they come to those who ask. It’s not enough to do great work and hope that speaks for you. You need to go after what you want and be your own biggest advocate.
AI will undoubtedly continue to be a challenge as the profession works to understand its capabilities and limitations while ensuring we don’t fall behind our competitors.
Working with my new partners to shape the future of our rapidly expanding IP team, of course!
