Becoming a successful IP practitioner requires becoming a trusted advisor – a person who others can rely upon to be competent, honest, loyal and kind. Even the most brilliant IP lawyer, patent and/or trademark agent will not be able to attract and maintain clients if they are not trusted by their clients. To earn and maintain clients’ trust, an IP practitioner must be trustworthy and credible when interacting with clients, bosses, partners, associates, support staff, examiners, judges, court staff, opposing counsel and everyone else with whom the practitioner interacts.