I spoke with Nancy Mertzel, former chair of Herrick, Feinstein’s intellectual property group, who recently founded Mertzel Law PLLC, a boutique IP law firm. We discussed the genesis of Mertzel Law, the greatest challenges to brand protection in today’s competitive marketplace, the unique obstacles that former large firm attorneys face in launching solo practices, the key qualities for success in today’s environment, and advice for new lawyers entering the profession seeking to achieve work-life balance.