Robert Goldscheider, Esq. and Melvin F. Jager, Esq.
As those interested in matters of the practice of licensing know, there are few voices as prominent in the profession as authors Robert Goldscheider, Esq. and Melvin F. Jager, Esq.
This past June, authors Goldscheider and Jager were each awarded the LESI Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded by the Licensing Executives Society (LESI), in recognition of distinguished careers in the practice of licensing and service to the organization. In addition, Mr. Goldscheider was the deserving recipient of the LES Outstanding Contribution in Licensing Award, in recognition of the enduring contribution of his "25% Rule" to the practice of licensing.
This month we share the prominent voices of Robert Goldscheider, Esq. and Melvin F. Jager, Esq. in this recent interview that provides insight on achieving success as leading practitioners and renowned authors.
West: What has been the most inspiring aspect of your legal career?
Goldscheider: This would be the stimuli which led to the development of "the 25% Rule" with which my name has become associated. The recent Outstanding Contribution to Licensing Award that I received from LES (USA & Canada) is stated to be in recognition of "the historic contribution of the Twenty Five Percent Rule to the development of Patent Valuation". I have personally employed this methodology since 1959 in many licensing negotiations, as an expert in litigation involving intellectual property, and in providing strategic advice to clients. I have written about these experiences, explained them in my lectures and courses, and have been pleased to note that their utility has become widely appreciated.
Jager: This is a difficult question to answer because there have been many inspiring aspects. In the broad sense, it has been inspiring to be able to help clients, especially the small enterprises or individuals, to solve their legal problems and provide them a sense that justice has been done. In a narrower sense, I have found inspiration in the great people that I have been privileged to meet and work with in this exciting field of law. It has been exciting to work with such people and to participate in and aid in the adaptation of the law to our rapidly changing society.
West: What are the benefits you derive from being a published author?
Goldscheider: Writing for publication imposes discipline on my work. Before I will commit my thoughts to print, I am very careful to be as accurate and lucid as possible. I view this as a responsibility which inspires me to give my best efforts to the task and has thus helped me to achieve a serious reputation. This opens the door to me in other aspects of my work. I also get gratification from the realization that others may be benefiting from the fruits of my work.
Jager: Writing books published by West has given me great personal satisfaction. I consider it a privilege to be offered the opportunity. It also has made me a more effective and successful lawyer over the last 25 years. Writing and maintaining the Trade Secrets Law Treatises and the Licensing Law book have improved my research, analysis and writing skills and helped significantly in the practice of law. It allowed me to develop a level of expertise in the field of intellectual property law that comes from reading and analyzing hundreds of cases in the field. The responsibilities of authorship induce you to stay current with the law as it develops and evolves.
My position as a West author enhanced my opportunities to present speeches and papers on related IP law topics in may venues throughout the world. It has also added credibility to my teaching of patent, trade secret and licensing law as an adjunct professor at such prestigious colleges as the College of Law at the University of Illinois, the University of Victoria College of Law and the Saint James College of Law at Oxford, UK.
West: Considering the amount of time you must invest throughout the year to your West publications, how do balance your commitments?
Goldscheider: My writing for West results directly from my work experiences. This direct connection has made my books, and the articles which usually precede my contributions to the books, professionally relevant to my readers. Since this writing is an integral part of my total output, it is difficult to segregate, but it is a driving force and therefore an important element. My professional commitments and writing complement each other. I "practice what I preach" and also "preach what I practice".
Jager: There was a sharp learning curve to find the balance between the practice of law and my writing. Time and experience reduced the time needed to research, analyze and write about the new cases. Advances in electronic legal data bases, especially the Westlaw service, reduced the time needed to maintain the publications. Westlaw made it possible to continue with an active legal practice while I expanded my writings with West. There is a magnitude of difference in the ability to research the law now compared to 25 years ago.
There is a strong synergistic relationship between my practice of law and professional activities and my writing for West. They are all involved with the same field of law. The legal experience gave me a strong foundation for the writing, and the research and writing broadened my knowledge base that is useful in the practice.
West: Do you have any advice for individuals just starting their careers as authors?
Goldscheider: Yes. Write about subjects that require the presentation of ideas, not merely objective chronicles of traditional events. Accounts of entrepreneurship, descriptions of environmentally useful technologies and issues being debated in legislatures of commercially significant countries come to mind. Also, try to make your prose lively and readable and not mechanical --- or even pompous. Accounts of personal experiences are also attractive and valuable, if lucidly presented.
Jager: I would advise them to go for it. It is a time commitment that provides substantial dividends both personally and professionally. An understanding spouse also helps a lot!
Robert Goldscheider is the author of Eckstrom's Licensing in Foreign and Domestic Operations: the Forms and Substance of Licensing and Licensing and the Art of Technology Management-Law/Tactics/Forms and chairman of The International Licensing Network Group. He has been active as an attorney and consultant in the licensing field for over 50 years and looks forward to many years to come.
Melvin Jager is the author of Licensing Law Handbook, 2000-2001 Edition: International Trade Secret Protection; Licensing Law Handbook, 2007-2008 ed.; and Trade Secrets Throughout the World and a partner with Brinks Hofer Gilson and Lione. He has specialized in intellectual property law since 1962, specifically Patent, Trademark and Trade Secret counseling, litigation and licensing.