Abida originally qualified and practised as a solicitor undertaking commercial litigation.  Since 1996, she has specialised in the field of trade marks and designs. 

She is a Member of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys qualified by examination, a Registered Trade Mark Agent and a European Trade Mark Attorney.  Abida has an LLB honours degree in Business Law and the Diploma in Intellectual Property Law & Practice from Bristol University.  

She has extensive and wide ranging experience in the intellectual property field including clearance of trade marks for use, dispute resolution, portfolio management (contentious and non-contentious) and domain name issues.  On transferring from commercial litigation to intellectual property in 1996, she initially joined a trade mark attorney practice in 1996.  This was followed in 1999 by a move to a law firm specialising in intellectual property and lengthy secondments at an FMCG drinks company and one of the major multinational pharmaceutical companies.      

Abida is a regular writer on trade mark issues and her articles have been published widely.  She is also a regular attendee at international conferences.