PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with Umida Solijonova

Before joining the PETOŠEVIĆ team in Uzbekistan in 2017, Junior Associate Umida Solijonova worked at another Tashkent law firm and interned at a law firm in Beijing, China, where she also obtained her LLM degree. We asked Umida about her work, her hobbies, what most people do not know about her, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in the IP field?

   I became interested in IP during the final year of my studies, especially after going to China, where I had first-hand experience with markets that are among the biggest sources of counterfeit and lookalike goods.

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

   Starting something new, such as new cases, learning about new aspects of IP or dealing with issues I had little experience with before.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   I would say working! I find the whole process of our work interesting.

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

   I think I would be a kindergarten teacher.

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

   I was a hostess at a restaurant. This only lasted for two days!

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

   I enjoy strolling around the town with a cup of tea or coffee and with my headphones.

7. What book did you read last?

   Elchin Safarli’s “Be Home When I Come Back” (“Kogda ya vernus, bud doma”).

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

   “Circles” by Post Malone.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   Of course plov (pilaf)! Plov is a classic Uzbek dish consisting of rice, onion, carrots and meat, all cooked slowly in layers in a traditional cast-iron kazan (cauldron).

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

    I would not choose a celebrity – I would like to meet my grandpa, whom I have never met but I have heard a lot about him.

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

    Music – I loved that all we had to do was sing; we didn’t even have any homework!

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

    I’ve always wanted to be an attorney.

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

    Well, I was a bit of a rebellious kid and sometimes had small “clashes” with others. The second thing is that I am very emotional, I often burst into tears when I watch movies. Finally, what people find out about me when they get to know me is that, while I am quite calm now, I was quite wild as a teenager.

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

    Playing the guitar. I would really like to learn that.

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

    My biggest frustration is that we have to accept the world as it is, with its good and bad sides.

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

    I have learned not to waste my time, but to act instead.

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

    I wish I could have told myself to enjoy life to the fullest.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I’ve lived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Beijing, China and New York, USA!

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

    I would pick Croatia because of its beautiful landscape.

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

    I would take them to Chorsu Bazaar, the traditional bazaar in the center of the old town of Tashkent. It is an incredible place!