Even though I’m an intellectual property lawyer, technically speaking, I see myself more as a business lawyer. When I’m counseling clients what to do with their intellectual property, I’m focusing on what their business needs are. I try to tailor the IP to fit what they need so the business can go forward with protecting those ideas the best way they can, and keeping them out of litigation in terms of clearing products.

As a puppy, I started as a patent examiner, way back in 1985. And I did two years in the patent office on the other side of the fence examining patents and granting them where I thought it was appropriate. After I left the patent office for two years, I went on to law school at night. I worked for a law firm that was then called Panitch Schwarze Jacobs & Nadel, which was small boutique at the time of about 12 lawyers. I joined them in 1988.

And I was working as a patent agent during the day, using my undergraduate skills in mechanical engineering, working on all types of different technologies and mechanical arts. I did that for four years while I went to school at night, graduated, hit the ground running with – at that point I guess I had six years of experience – and I started working for the law firm in 1991 as a lawyer. And I’ve been doing all the same thing with the same group of people for all that time.

It’s nice to be working with the same colleagues for 30 years. It’s a real pleasure to come to the office every day when you have that kind of relationship. And we enjoy each other’s company. We have a real collegial atmosphere here. And we all work well together for that reason.