Meet the IP Professional: Camilla Kiørboe – Building Bridges in Copenhagen’s Innovation Landscape

When Potter Clarkson decided to establish a presence in Denmark, the goal was ambitious — to grow a local team that could bring world-class IP expertise to one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation hubs. At the heart of that mission stands Camilla Kiørboe, Partner at the Copenhagen office, whose leadership and vision have transformed a start-up-sized team into one of the firm’s most cohesive and respected groups.

From Science and Law to Real-World Impact

Camilla’s career was born from a fascination with the intersection of science and law

and a desire to help ideas evolve from concept to commercial success.

“I’ve always been drawn to the interface between science and law,” she explains. “What inspires me most is seeing innovation grow into something that makes a tangible difference in the world.”

That passion continues to drive her work today, whether advising start-ups or collaborating with international clients in Denmark’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

Growing Copenhagen from the Ground Up

Camilla joined Potter Clarkson shortly after the Copenhagen office opened its doors, with a mission to establish a robust platform for growth and build the firm’s profile in Denmark.

“Our goal from the outset was to create a strong local presence that offered more than just an office, we wanted to introduce a full-service approach that combines legal depth with technical understanding,” she says.

Seven years on, the office has expanded from two to eight professionals, combining organic growth with a shared sense of purpose. That growth reflects the wider strategic ambition to offer innovators something different — a team that not only protects ideas but actively helps clients unlock their commercial potential.

Creating a Culture of Collaboration and Trust

Much of the Copenhagen office’s success, Camilla believes, lies in the people.

“We’ve focused on bringing in people who genuinely enjoy working together,” she explains. “We’re transparent about our goals, our responsibilities and our challenges. This openness builds trust and keeps friction low even when deadlines are tight.”

Camilla and her team prioritise both technical excellence and personal development. Each team member is encouraged to grow beyond their legal expertise, building confidence in business development and industry engagement.

“We see our people as whole individuals with potential beyond the law,” she adds. This is what makes our team dynamic and resilient.”

Denmark’s Innovation Hotspot

Camilla’s enthusiasm for Denmark’s innovation landscape is palpable.

“We’re a small country, but the level of innovation here is remarkable,” she says. “In areas like life science, green tech, biosolutions, biotech, foodtech, clean tech and agritech, Denmark is a global leader.”

She highlights the strong collaboration between universities, incubators and industry as a key driver of this success given it is an environment where groundbreaking ideas quickly find commercial pathways.

Championing Start-Ups and SMEs

A significant part of Camilla’s work involves supporting start-ups and SMEs as they turn R&D breakthroughs into viable businesses.

“We help founders understand the value of their IP and how to communicate it effectively when seeking investment,” she explains. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see those early-stage ideas grow into thriving companies.”

While Camilla has extensive experience of working with investors and businesses of all sizes including some of the largest and best-known names in European biotech and biosolutions, her passion for entrepreneurial clients is growing.

“SMEs and start-ups are very close to my heart. They bring such energy and optimism and those are the ideas that will shape the future.”

Building a Connected Community

Camilla has also built a strong professional network around her areas of expertise, particularly in foodtech, agritech, biosolutions and other areas where microbes play a key role. Through mentoring, coaching, judging innovation competitions and writing thought leadership pieces, she actively contributes to Denmark’s innovation community.

“I try to work in these areas, not just for them,” she says. “It’s a personal interest as much as a professional one.”

A Strategic Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Camilla is focused on expanding the Copenhagen office’s expertise to include more digital and engineering-based innovation whilst continuing to strengthen collaboration across Potter Clarkson’s European network.

“Our next step is to grow our capabilities in new technical areas,” she says. “We’re lucky to have great support from our colleagues across offices, but having local expertise on the ground makes all the difference.”

Leading with Trust and Direction

Asked what leadership advice has guided her most, Camilla doesn’t hesitate:

“Set a clear strategic direction, then trust your team to deliver it. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about cultivating a team that can find them together.”

That philosophy has not only shaped her approach to management but has helped define the culture of the Copenhagen office itself.

Recharging in Nature

Outside work, Camilla finds balance in the great outdoors.

“My family and I love spending time in nature — hiking, cycling, running, paddleboarding, skiing, scuba diving and even fishing,” she shares. “We travel a lot and love adventures. At home, we have a California van that we use for exploring whenever we can. Being outside in nature inspires and recharges me. It also reminds me why it’s so important to find solutions that lead to climate-positive innovation and help build a regenerative and sustainable future for generations to come.”

About Potter Clarkson Copenhagen

From its base in Denmark’s innovation capital, Potter Clarkson’s Copenhagen team combines deep technical insight with commercial understanding, helping clients across the Nordic region turn ideas into business advantage.

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