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Paul Burnett started his career as a research scientist at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), where he evaluated drug-screening technologies and filed a patent application on an assay using an automated high-content microscope. That experience hooked him on IP, so much so that he became a patent agent at J&J and pursued a law degree in the evenings. After passing the bar, he spent several years in private practice before going in-house.
Today, he serves as chief IP counsel at FMC Corporation, a company that harnesses the power of science to solve agriculture’s biggest challenges and to support growers with innovative crop protection products. In that capacity, Burnett is proud to be part of a diverse team that’s leveraging its unique skills to assist the company’s growth as it continues to launch novel sustainable crop protection technology.
“We’re becoming more than a chemical company. FMC’s products encompass biologicals, novel delivery systems, and data-driven technology, all aimed at addressing growers’ needs,” says Burnett, who leads a team of professionals who have experience outside of FMC’s industry. “We’ve been building out a team with a variety of expertise, and it’s good to have individuals who can apply learnings from different industries to cross-pollinate and bring insight into how to chart our future.”
Though he had only been in the role for a year at time of speaking, the FMC IP team was voted as the top in-house IP team in the US in 2024 by Lexology. Burnett says he’s so proud of being part of such a creative, talented, and dedicated team.
One of the most rewarding and challenging aspect of the job is enforcing FMC’s IP globally.
“Laws are different from country to country. I can understand the strengths and weaknesses of a case in the US, but that doesn’t apply to other countries where the standard of law is often different,” Burnett says. “We’ve focused on bringing in the experts to train us while also conveying our knowledge on how we’d like to enforce our patents. In that way, we’re all teachers and also students.”
Burnett, a UK native, obtained a biochemistry degree from the University of Manchester and his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Bristol. After serving as a postdoctoral research fellow and building microscopes to conduct research, Burnett joined J&J, where he wrote his first patent application, left research, and moved into legal. As a patent agent, he prepared and prosecuted US patent applications related to cell-based therapies and biotechnology. He also managed the patent estates for internal venture companies, performed due diligence reviews, facilitated the efficient protection of inventions, and more.
While he traded the lab for the law, he brought along a similar mindset to his new profession. “I’ve always been interested in pushing, testing, and picking things apart to see how to make them better, and that’s how I approach the law too,” Burnett says.
Burnett’s nine years at J&J inspired him to continue his career in private practice as an associate at Scully, Scott, Murphy, & Presser; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; and as a partner of his own firm. While that journey taught him the ins and outs of the law and exposed him to leadership positions, he knew that he needed a change.
“It was a lot of learning from the ground up, often with little to no supervision and guidance, which has continued to stick with me today. But from a work/life balance perspective, I realized that in-house was where I wanted to be,” he explains. “In-house environments also seemed to be filled with highly creative people and could allow me to continue learning about cutting-edge technology and how to protect it.”
In 2017, he joined Firmenich as senior patent counsel and was later promoted to director of the function. When a role model from the company left to work for FMC, he was inspired to follow.
“She was the smartest person I knew, was a gifted patent practitioner, and has a keen eye for business,” Burnett says. “I wanted to learn as much as I could from her, and she inspired me to be that kind of mentor to others at FMC.”
As a leader, Burnett is transparent and straightforward. What you see is what you get. “Let’s just have a conversation and navigate through whatever it is,” he says of his leadership approach.
For Burnett, being straightforward also translates to asking for help when he needs it. “I only know so much. I make many decisions, but everyone on my team has a voice. I like to ask, ‘What could I have done better?’ Every day is a learning experience,” he says.
“As FMC’s Chief IP Counsel, Paul has unparalleled legal expertise and business sense that make him a strategic player in his industry. He is very hard working, thoughtful but also very practical in terms of bringing the most cost-effective results for the company. We as outside counsel have been so fortunate to partner with Paul and thanks to his leadership and guidance, we have achieved many remarkable successes together.”
–Jerry Xia, Partner