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Attorney
By
Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession
Who?
What?
Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Intellectual Property, specifically patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and technology licensing.
When?
Years in Practice Area:
Since 1999, plus 25 years physics and engineering experience prior
to entering the legal profession.
Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 2000
Where?
Employer:
Crowe & Dunlevy
http://www.crowedunlevy.com
Size/Sector:
120+ attorneys/ General practice
City/State:
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102-8273
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Law School:
Oklahoma City University evening program while working as an engineer and legal intern
Other Post-Graduate Education:
Masters of Engineering from University of Texas; Austin, Texas
Undergraduate School/Degree:
Physics degree from University of Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa
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Why?
Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Intellectual Property attorneys create property for their clients, who are always creative and interesting. This takes an in-depth knowledge of the area of practice, such as the technology involved in a patent application, and the ability to translate this understanding into law.
Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Patent attorneys need a science or engineering degree in order to take the IP exam that is necessary for licensing to practice before the PTO. Attorneys practicing in the other areas of IP need an interest in their area of practice, such as art or music.
Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
First have a passion for the Intellectual Property area you want to practice, join the ABA IPL section and get active in the ABA (even as a student). Also try to intern for a firm that specializes in your area of interest.
How?
Career Path to Current Position:
I have an undergraduate degree in physics, completed masters work in mechanical engineering and received a masters degree in petroleum engineering. I worked 20 years as an engineer before attending law school and interning for a law firm. I passed the state and patent bars.
Influences and Mentors:
Dr. Savage, Physics; Dr. Walker, Microbiology; Bill McCarthy, Patent Law; and the support of my family.
Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
The ABA web-site is a great first stop. The PTO web-site is excellent. Also read books on the information age and its influence on the law, such as the “World War 3.0: Microsoft and Its Enemies” by Ken Auletta concerning the Microsoft antitrust case.
Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Networking and interning is important in this specialty. The web is a great resource as are the ABA sections and their associated web pages.
Bar Affiliations and Activities:
Student ABA liaison to the section of IPL, Membership chair of the IPL, member of ABA sections of Intellectual Property, Science and Technology, Environmental, Litigation, and Young Lawyers also member of the Oklahoma bar, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Inn of Courts, and professional organizations.
Recent Professional Publications:
State of the USPTO, IPL summer IPL newsletter, Vol. 17, No. 4.
Recent Professional Presentations:
New Patent and Trademark Rules and Guidelines, January 2001.
Memorable Career Moment:
Passing the PTO exam and getting my first patent issued.
Intriguing Interests:
Sports, including running and fencing, traveling and spending time with my husband and daughters. I was a foreign exchange student to Belgium and served two years in West Africa in the Peace Corps, teaching physics.
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