PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Mara Marinescu

Based in our Bucharest office, Associate/Attorney at Law Mara Marinescu focuses on trademark and design infringement cases, particularly related to e-commerce and unfair competition, as well as domain name disputes. We asked Mara about her work, her interests and hobbies, things most people don’t know about her, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in IP?

   Shortly after I graduated from law school, I joined a law firm specialized in IP, where I learned a lot about this field which was new to me at the time.

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

   Inconsistent court practice. Dealing with local authorities can also be challenging sometimes.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   Drafting legal documents and finding the best arguments to support my client’s position. I’m also happiest when I find good, consistent case law.

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

   I liked criminal law in college, so maybe I would try to practice it as a lawyer. Then again, we also deal with criminal law in IP, so I guess I am where I should be.

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

   During law school I worked part time as an office assistant at the Romanian Association of Consulting Engineers.

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

   I enjoy spending quality time with family, friends and my cat Dora. I also love traveling and discovering new cultures and amazing food.

7. What book did you read last?

   ”Nadia Comăneci and the Secret Police: A Cold War Escape” by Stejărel Olaru. It’s about Nadia Comăneci and her struggles as a gymnast in Romania during the communist regime, ultimately causing her to flee the country in 1989.

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

   The entire ”Elvis” movie soundtrack!

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   I love Italian food, especially pasta.

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

    It would be Anne Frank. I would tell her how brave she was and that we still read her diary, always hoping for a different ending of her story.

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

    I really liked piano lessons. I went to art school and I had a very nice piano teacher. I enjoyed that whole period. I had great teachers and classmates.

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

    I went to law school hoping to become a judge, but I changed my mind in the meantime and wanted to become a lawyer instead.

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

    I played the piano for 12 years and I was quite good at it. At the end of high school, I played a composition by Mozart with the local philharmonic orchestra.

    I’m passionate about Latin dances — I took bachata and salsa classes a while ago and I plan to continue soon.

    I enjoy watching Formula 1!

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

    I always wanted to learn ballet or gymnastics.

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

    Our society has become too materialistic. Nowadays everybody turns to their possessions to find happiness.

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

    I learned that nothing is ever black or white.

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

    To make the most of the time I have with my parents.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I have only lived in Bucharest and my hometown Ploiești, which is about 50 km north of Bucharest.

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

    Luxembourg. I’ve never been there but I hear it’s wonderful. Also, it’s so close to Paris!

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

    I’d help them experience that authentic local vibe. Bucharest has a lot of hidden gems: the Batiștei neighborhood, Mântuleasa street, beautiful bookshops in the old town, passages hidden right in the middle of the city center, amazing street art. Of course, I would also take them to my favorite coffee shops!