PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Melina Nika

Part of the PETOŠEVIĆ Albania team, Trademark, Patent and Design Attorney Melina Nika handles patent, trademark and industrial design prosecution and maintenance, as well as geographical indication matters. She is a European patent attorney and an active a member of the European Patent Institute (EPI). We asked Melina about her work, her favorite food, things most people don’t know about her, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in the IP field?

   My father, who is also an IP attorney, was the reason I started my career in IP. After finishing my studies abroad, I returned to Tirana and was looking for a job. My father told me to give IP a try because it was interesting, and here I am after almost 12 years.

2. What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

   Trying to find the best possible solutions for clients in different cases and circumstances.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   Reporting positive decisions!

4. What would you be working in, if you weren’t working in IP?

   I am not so sure, to be honest. I’m still trying to find an answer to this question. Maybe I would be working in mass media.

5. What was the first job you’ve ever had?

   This is my first job!

6. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

   It used to love driving, going out with my friends and travelling, but now what I love most is spending time with my son.

7. What book did you read last?

   I now only read children’s books to my son. I recently read him the story of Pinocchio.

8. What is your favorite song/music at the moment?

   I have 3 favorite songs at the moment: “Del Mar” by Ozuna, Doja Cat and Sia; “Mama” by GASHI ft. Sting, and “Relación” by Sech.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   I don’t really have one, but I love pizza and pasta.

10. If you could meet anyone in the world, from the past or present, who would it be and why?

    I would love to meet Robert De Niro. He is on the top of my favorite actors list and I have adored his acting and work since I was little.

11. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

    English! I have always been interested in foreign languages.

12. What did you want to be when growing up?

    I didn’t really have a dream of becoming something in particular but I did like the thought of being a police detective.

13. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

    I am generally an open book but most people don’t know that, according to my mom, my eyes turned from black to blue when I was around three years old; that I tried skiing only once back in 1996 and that I am terrified of it; and that I love shoes.

14. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

    Riding a motorcycle!

15. What is your biggest frustration about the world around you?

    Ignorance, arrogance and dishonesty.

16. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

    I have learned to love myself more.

17. What do you wish you could have told yourself at age 13?

    I wish I could have told myself that nothing is impossible.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    Other than Tirana, which is my hometown, I have lived in Toronto, Canada for almost a year with my family, where I also did one semester of middle school. I lived in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy for a few months with my family, and in Thessaloniki, Greece for a year, where I studied Greek. Finally, I lived in Athens, Greece for five years, where I went to university and graduated in Communication and Media Studies.

19. If you could live in another country of the 30+ countries where PETOŠEVIĆ operates, which would you pick and why?

    If the firm opened an office anywhere in Italy, I would go running! I have so far visited a few of the countries where PETOŠEVIĆ operates, and would love to visit all of them. Because it is difficult to pick one, I guess I would stick with Albania.

20. If someone came to your city for 24 hours, where would you take them?

    It’s not that easy to say, but I would certainly take my guests to a nice restaurant for a drink and some traditional Albanian food or seafood. Tirana has so many nice bars and the nightlife is amazing.