John Park’s path from electronics to IP and tech law
“I have Korean culture in my heart, but I live and act as a Swede in my personal and professional life. Being blessed with a dual identity is something that fellow second-generation immigrants can identify with.”
John Park attributes a large part of his identity to his parents, who immigrated from Korea to Sweden about 40 years ago. Today, our Stockholm based Senior Associate specializes in IP and technology, allowing him to combine a passion for technology and law.
The right time will come
The first time John considered becoming a lawyer was during a discussion about future careers at school. “Later, my sister, who is six years older than me and now a lawyer, started studying law. It gave me more insight into the profession, so I followed in her footsteps.”
While studying at university, he worked as a legal trainee at Channel 4 TV in Sweden and heard about Roschier from someone who was seconded to their legal department. “A few years later, I saw they were looking for an associate in the IP & Technology team, so I applied and was hired. It was always the plan to come here.”
Persistence pays off
Being part of the IP & Technology team has finally combined a lifelong interest in technology and a talent for persistence. “As a kid, I spent a lot of time with electronic kits, building computers, and learning about software and coding. But to work with technology practically, you need to be academically good at math, which I’m not.”
Law, on the other hand, was much easier for him to grasp. “There’s always room to interpret and argue, which I enjoy. My mom once said that in kindergarten, if one teacher said no, I would go to another until I got what I wanted. Persistence is something I like about law: figuring out what you want and how to get it.”
“It’s easy to be in sync when everyone wants to contribute, making things flow smoothly. You get inspired by those who’ve been here longer and those who are new, which helps you develop continuously.”
An environment full of driven people also makes the profession especially enjoyable for John. “It’s easy to be in sync when everyone wants to contribute, making things flow smoothly. You get inspired by those who’ve been here longer and those who are new, which helps you develop continuously.”
Stay grounded
John emphasizes the vital role of family and friends in personal development if one wants a long term career. “Despite my demanding schedule, I will visit my parents daily just to chat and decompress.”
He also makes efforts to have dinner with friends near the office. “I have a close-knit group of about ten friends, many of whom I’ve known since kindergarten. We’ve grown up with similar lifestyles and careers but have taken different paths. Having friends with diverse perspectives keeps me grounded and provides a sense of balance.”
This balance keeps him from taking life too seriously, which is relevant if you have a certain level of dedication and drive. “It’s important to accept that it’s okay to fail sometimes. Statistically, it’s easier to achieve your goals if you aren’t constantly benchmarking and optimizing yourself to be the best.”
While it is crucial to improve and be reflective, he has learned to enjoy what’s happening around him. “Initially, I wanted to achieve as much as possible quickly, but it’s a long journey; rushing doesn’t make a difference in the end. Pace yourself and enjoy the process.”