Manisha Singh of LexOrbis Emphasizes Lifelong Learning and Strategic IP Counsel

Answer first: Manisha Singh, founder and managing partner of LexOrbis in India, shares insights on the dynamic nature of IP law practice, the importance of curiosity and commercial understanding for IP lawyers, and the strategic value of intellectual property beyond registration. Singh discusses managing diverse IP matters across e…

Patents context for IP teams

Manisha Singh, founder and managing partner of the Indian IP firm LexOrbis, recently spoke about the critical need for intellectual property lawyers to engage in continuous learning and maintain a strategic alignment with their clients’ business objectives. In an interview featured in Managing IP’s ‘Five minutes with’ series, Singh detailed her multifaceted role in advising clients on IP rights while helping them leverage these rights to foster growth, competitiveness, and long-term value.

Singh described the unpredictable nature of IP practice, noting that no two days are alike. Her typical day begins with personal wellness activities such as yoga or workouts, which prepare her for a schedule filled with client consultations, strategy sessions, internal reviews, mentoring, and firm management decisions. She emphasized the importance of responsiveness, thoughtful planning, and forward-looking leadership in navigating the diverse demands of her role.

Key takeaways for IP lawyers must constantly learn

• Confirm how the development affects patents ownership, enforcement, licensing, or portfolio records.
• Separate confirmed facts from legal interpretation before advising business teams.
• Map deadlines, affected assets, contracts, and evidence files to the responsible internal owner.
• Use the issue as a prompt for monitoring, filing strategy, dispute preparation, or member education.

Practical analysis

LexOrbis handles a broad spectrum of IP matters, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, litigation, enforcement, and commercial transactions. Singh highlighted the firm’s active involvement in emerging and fast-evolving sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital health, fintech, electronics, and life sciences. These areas present complex challenges where law, technology, and business realities evolve simultaneously, requiring IP counsel to provide nuanced and practical guidance.

When asked about managing priorities, Singh acknowledged the constant juggling act inherent in leading a full-service IP firm. High-stakes disputes, enforcement actions, and strategic client decisions often demand immediate attention. Simultaneously, she must oversee client relationships, team development, operational efficiency, business growth, and quality assurance. Singh credits her ability to balance these responsibilities to building strong teams, clear communication, and knowing when to intervene personally.

Singh finds the most exciting aspect of her work to be the opportunity to engage with ideas at their formative stages. She considers it a privilege to protect inventions, brands, and creative works before they reach the market, recognizing the stories of research, risk, ambition, creativity, and entrepreneurship behind each matter. Conversely, the fast pace of technological and legal change presents a significant challenge, requiring constant learning and the capacity to offer clear, practical advice amid uncertainty.

According to Singh, a successful IP lawyer must possess curiosity at their core. Beyond legal expertise, lawyers need to understand their clients’ technologies, brands, markets, competitors, and business models. Analytical skills, attention to detail, and precision are essential, but so are communication abilities and commercial insight. Clients value counsel that translates complex legal issues into actionable, commercially relevant advice aligned with broader business goals.

Singh also addressed common misconceptions about IP. She noted that IP is not exclusive to large corporations or technology-heavy businesses; nearly every business creates IP, often unknowingly. Furthermore, she stressed that registration is merely the starting point. The true strength of an IP portfolio lies in its ongoing management, enforcement, commercialization, and integration into the client’s overall business strategy.

Drawing inspiration from entrepreneurs, scientists, creators, and researchers, Singh admires those who build with conviction despite uncertainty, funding challenges, or lack of recognition. She also finds motivation within her own team, valuing the growth and ownership demonstrated by colleagues as a fulfilling aspect of her career.

Reflecting on her career path, Singh expressed that she would still choose a role involving building, problem-solving, and creating impact, whether in law, public policy, education, or entrepreneurship. She appreciates that IP uniquely intersects law, technology, business, and creativity.

Her advice to her younger self is to be patient with the process, emphasizing that growth, resilience, consistency, and integrity matter more than having all the answers initially. Singh defines success not only by personal achievement but also by the positive impact on clients, institutions, and the legacy left behind. She advocates leading with integrity, working with purpose, and continuously creating value while supporting others’ growth to make the professional journey meaningful.

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