Natalia Clerc has many years of broad experience in all aspects of patent and design law in a large number of countries worldwide. Her technical focus areas are mechanics, optics, mechanical engineering and medical technology. She loves to break down complex issues, bring them into clear structures and offer viable solutions. In addition to the legal framework, she always keeps an eye on strategic and economic aspects.
After studying physics at ETH Zurich (Diploma in 1990), she worked in a development department before starting her training as a patent attorney in a Swiss patent law firm in 1992. Due to her former position as deputy head of the patent department at ABB (1998 to 2001), she has inside experience at a major international corporation. She joined Isler & Pedrazzini AG in 2001 and has been a partner since 2004.
In addition to her work as a patent attorney, she is a part-time judge at the Federal Patent Court in St. Gallen (since 2012) and a lecturer in the training program for Swiss patent attorneys at the IPI (since 2012). Her previous positions include tutor for the training of European patent attorneys (1997 to 2005), lecturer in the program “MAS in Intellectual Property” at the ETH Zurich (2002 to 2005), member of the Board and President of the Association of European and Swiss Patent Attorneys in Private Practice (VESPA) (2003 to 2011), and member of the Board and President of the Examination Chamber for Swiss patent attorneys (2011 to 2015).
Natalia Clerc has been an accredited IP Special Coach for the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse since 2019 and advises start-ups on developing their IP strategy.
Natalia Clerc is regularly listed as one of Switzerland’s “World’s Leading Patent Practitioners” in Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) and appeared in the list of the TOP 250 Women in IP worldwide.