PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Jadranka Bibić

Senior Trademark Paralegal Jadranka Bibić has been part of PETOŠEVIĆ as a contractor for over 15 years. Based in Southern California, Jadranka handles trademark clearance and prosecution, primarily for our US clients. We asked Jadranka about her work, her pastimes, the music she likes, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in IP?

   I would say it happened by accident. I was studying law but knew only a little bit about IP. I had a friend who was working at an IP firm that was looking for a paralegal at the time, and I got the job. Here I am, 24 years later, still in IP!

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

   The inflexibility of officials in certain countries, as well as a lack of IP knowledge and the inconsistent practice that follows from it.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   I like seeing new trademarks through, from the stage of clearance search to becoming well-known brands. I also like meeting clients in person and getting their (hopefully) positive feedback.

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

   I was a journalist before I got into IP, so I would be either working in that field or in another field of law.

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

   I was a radio host and a journalist for over six years.

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

   Reading a book on the beach, traveling, being outdoors and playing with my sons.

7. What book did you read last?

   “Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. After visiting Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, one of his books is next.

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

   I’m not a big fan of popular music that can be heard on the radio nowadays. I still like 80s music and bands like No Doubt, Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   Sarma (minced meat and rice wrapped in fermented cabbage leaves), lasagne, cheeses and anything with chocolate!

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

    I never had idols that I was dying to meet. I met a lot of Croatian celebrities and politicians while working as a journalist, even the first Croatian president, and that world does not fascinate me. I learned that all famous people are just regular people like us, with their ups and downs.

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

    I loved languages. I always liked reading books and was interested in grammar. One of my biggest pet peeves are grammar mistakes!

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

    When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. Then I wanted to be a travel agent as a teenager, and finally I wanted to be a lawyer.

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

    I took a Mensa IQ test because of a bet and it turned out my IQ is pretty high. I was in an episode of the Croatian Fear Factor, which was filmed in Argentina (I was disqualified in the first round while on a helicopter ride, so no, I haven’t eaten any cockroaches). I was born a natural redhead, but that somehow changed over time.

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

    I would like to learn to play a musical instrument and to learn another language.

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

    Closed-minded people, mob mentality, lack of empathy and people who are still willing to go to war.

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

    Two little boys taught me how to be patient. I am still working on it, as patience is not my strong suit.

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

    Keep dreaming — dreams do come true.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I have lived in Zagreb, Croatia; Brussels, Belgium; and San Diego, USA.

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

    I would always go back to Zagreb because it has a lot of the Western culture but still has a scent of the Balkans. As I am Serbian, born in Bosnia, but raised in Croatia, I would also give Belgrade a chance. I visited Serbia on several occasions but never spent enough time there to fully immerse.

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

    I live in a small city in Southern California – Temecula, approximately 100km from San Diego and 150km from Los Angeles. They call Temecula “the Napa Valley of Southern California” because it has nearly 50 wineries and many wine varietals. A tour of our wine country would be a must. There are many parks around the city and hiking trails outside of it, with beautiful views. Miles of beaches are not far away, so if you are a fan of sand and the ocean breeze, we would go for a walk down the beach. In the evening, I would recommend a stroll in the Old Town, which looks a bit like an old Western movie, with restaurants specializing in different cuisines and bars with live music.