Managing a company’s brand protection and its relationship with e-commerce platforms is no mean feat, even for the more seasoned intellectual property professionals.

It’s a testament, then, to the high regard Ciera Schick is held in that US-based consumer products company Ontel Corporation entrusted her with this task.

Schick, based in Arizona, US, joined Ontel in 2021 after having worked as a legal intern in private practice firms.

A combination of Ontel’s global reach and a relatively lean in-house legal department has required Schick to take on pivotal roles since joining the company.

Nevertheless, her peers say she has made a “tremendous impact right out of the gate”.

Initially tasked with developing, clearing, monitoring, and maintaining Ontel’s trademark and copyright portfolio, Schick has swiftly gained the leadership team’s trust and has expanded her responsibilities to cover licensing and offensive IP litigation.

Schick provides thoughtful dialogue to the legal team about how Ontel can best protect and monetise its digital assets worldwide.

She tells Managing IP she is passionate about bringing safe, innovative, and useful products into consumers' households.

"At Ontel, I have the privilege to do just that by touching many different areas of the law, from consumer and brand protection to mergers and acquisitions.”