Episode 4: Ashok Ramani - Head of IP Litigation at Davis Polk

In this episode Harry Hawthorne sits down with Ashok Ramani for a candid, practical tour of life as an IP trial lawyer. From starting in engineering classes at UC Berkeley to Harvard Law, a federal district court clerkship in DC, early trial reps at a boutique, and now leading a trial-first IP practice at Davis Polk, Ashok shares what actually moves the needle: getting reps, thinking fast, and mentoring relentlessly. We dig into staying calm under pressure (his exercise + meditation routine), imposter syndrome (everyone has it), the rise of AI (and what it means for junior work and training), and why juries are increasingly comfortable with big numbers in patent cases. If you’re an associate eyeing the courtroom—or a GC navigating high-stakes IP—this episode is equal parts playbook and perspective.