Having just ticked over 38 years in patent attorney world (when did I get this old), it's time to reflect on why I've been doing this! My career highlights so far have been my time involved with groups outside the firm, such as the Professional Standards Board (and its Board of Examiners) being an Examiner for 8 years and a Board Member for 6 years, my four years on the Institute Council, my three years lecturing in the SEAD course in Singapore, the couple of years lecturing that I did at Melbourne University, and four years on my firm's internal National Strategic Board. Coupled with my APAA involvement (and lots of travelling around Asia, particularly to Japan), culminating in being the Australian Group President for 3 years and organising the 2007 APAA Council Meeting for 1300 people in Adelaide, and the studies I did in the Science & Technology Commercialisation Graduate Diploma at Adelaide Uni, it's hard to see how I actually have had time to be a patent attorney, particularly over the last 15 years.I certainly enjoy developing strong relationships with my local clients, particularly those where I'm seen as being an integral part of their business. It's quite rewarding seeing a business actually benefit from some of this IP stuff that we do.The future looks bright, and challenging, and scary, all at the same time, particularly given the changes that Patent Offices everywhere seem to be implementing to make it all harder.Specialties: Unlike many patent attorneys these days, I still have a mixed practice in patents, trade marks and designs (although patents are really my thing), due to the Adelaide office of POF primarily servicing local clients. I handle all facets of advising clients in all these areas, and do quite a bit of patent drafting, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, mining and optical, as well as a number of general mechanical areas.