STM welcomes new legal counsel Molly Stech

STM is pleased to extend a warm welcome to Molly Stech, our new general counsel. Molly is taking over the role from Carlo Scollo Lavizzari, who has been with STM since 2007.

Molly is a long-time copyright policy attorney who has previously worked for the World Intellectual Property Organization, the U.S. Copyright Office, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is also an adjunct professor and publishes articles on copyright law in journals in Europe and the U.S. 

‘I’m admittedly a copyright “classicist,” insofar as what drew me to copyright law as a discipline is a deep respect for writers, researchers, and artists,’ Molly said. ‘Without publishers to improve, refine, and disseminate those authors’ works, however, there is no possibility to achieve the goals of any copyright act. I wanted to join STM to play a role in achieving that objective for the people who dedicate their lives to science, technology, and medicine, which I believe to be the lifeblood of our economies and our wellbeing.’

“I’m very pleased to have Molly join us,” said STM CEO Caroline Sutton. “She has a wealth of experience that is certain to be an incredible asset to STM and our members.”

Molly said that she is eager to work with publishing houses of all shapes and sizes, learn more about the complex legal issues they face, and help them navigate those challenges. 

‘I’m excited to help bolster the contribution that publishers make to innovation, whatever that may look like at a given point in time,” she said. ‘Authors, publishers, and researchers need each other to accomplish their goals. I hope to gain a deep understanding of the synergies and tensions among them and help find solutions to problems.’

STM’s general counsel is responsible for monitoring legislative developments that may affect STM’s members, identifying positions that support STM objectives, supporting trade association governance issues, and coordinating with other publishing, research, and creator industry associations. 

As STM’s previous general counsel, Carlo Scollo Lavizzari specialised in intellectual property law and was influential in supporting STM and our members, and the publishing industry as a whole. Carlo plans to pursue other opportunities moving forward, including further education, developing his South African business and legal consultancy, and continuing his Mandarin and Chinese studies. 

“We are deeply appreciative for all that Carlo has done on behalf of STM and our members,” Sutton said. “While we are sorry to see him go, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”