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American Bar Association

ABA Career Counsel
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Attorney By Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession

Who?

Sandra A. Jeskie
Attorney
jeskie@duanemorris.com

What?

Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Information Technology, Litigation, Internet/E-Commerce, Privacy, Technology, Licensing.

When?

Years in Practice Area:
1997 plus 16 years experience as a computer scientist prior to entering the
Legal profession

Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 1996.

Where?

Employer:
Duane Morris, LLP
www.Duanemorris.com


Size/Sector:
500-attorney law firm

City/State:
Philadelphia, PA

Law School:
Temple University

Other Post-Graduate Education:
La Salle University, MBA

Undergraduate School/Degree:
La Salle University, BA in Computer Science

Why?

Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Pluses: Exciting, cutting-edge technology.
Challenges: The law is constantly developing and it requires a great deal of time to stay current.

Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Familiarity with technology or a strong willingness to learn is a must.

Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
First, learn how to practice law, and then focus on a specific practice area. If your focus is technology law, it helps to have some background in technology to become an effective lawyer in this field. You should also read as much as you can about technology Internet and technology law. I highly suggest getting active in ABA and local bar association committees in this practice area.

How?

Career Path to Current Position:
I spent 16 years as a Computer Scientist before I began to practice law. After a few years learning the basics, I began to focus my practice towards Iinternet and Ttechnology Law. I also identified two mentors; one for the general practice of law and one for Internet and technology related issues. I conferred with mentors regularly, took their advice and stayed focused.

Influences and Mentors:
Many of the people I had the privilege to work with over the years have influenced me. Specifically, the Honorable Michael M. Baylson was a constant source of encouragement and wisdom on the practice of law and career development. Eric Sinrod, a partner at Duane Morris and an author of a weekly column in USA Today, has also inspired me with his enthusiasm for Internet law.

Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
BNA Internet Law News, BNA Privacy & Security Report, Book - Intellectual Property Law in Cyberspace.

Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Intern and Network.

Bar Affiliations and Activities:

ABA Science & Technology Section Computer Law Association, Chair, Public Relations Committee Philadelphia Bar Association, Chair, Technology Advisory Committee; Chair, Cyberspace and E-Commerce Committee (2000-2002).

Related Publications:

Key Elements of an E-Commerce Integration Project Contract, Journal of Internet
Law, February 2003
Italian Experts Offer E-Commerce View, Philadelphia Bar Reporter, May, 2002
Featured article with United States Attorney Patrick Meehan, Philadelphia Bar Reporter,
October, 2002
Key Elements of an E-Commerce Integration Project Contract, Vibes, Spring 2001
Related Presentations:

Liability Associated with Collecting and Using Online Information, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, May 2003
Privacy in the Wired World, E-Commerce Legal and Practical Issues, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, December 2002
Advanced Issues in IT Law 2002, Computer law Association Conference, Orlando, Florida, October 2002
Corporate Compliance Privacy Issues, Hot Topics in Privacy and E-Commerce Program, Philadelphia Bar Association, Philadelphia, July 2002
Cyberlaw, 2001 Year in Review, Philadelphia Bar Association, January 2002
Website Development Agreements, The Computer Law Association's Cyberspace Camp Conference, San Jose, California March 2001
Consumer Privacy with Online Information, Scheduled for September 2003 Employer Liability, Technology Law Conference, scheduled for July 2003
Memorable Career Moment:

Deposing a former Microsoft V.P. in the private plaintiffs antitrust litigation. The deponent was a former software developer, as I had been prior to entering the legal profession. Because we shared similar backgrounds, he opened up at the deposition much more than his attorney would have liked.
Intriguing Interests:

Golf, Scuba Diving.