Since its founding in 1995, Sangamo has been a leader in genomic medicine research and development. With its experience developing gene editing technologies, Sangamo has also become an expert in gene therapy, cell therapy, and genome regulation technology.

WIPLA is a Bay Area non-profit organization in which volunteer IP attorneys organize social and CLE events that provide a forum for interaction, communication and professional support among women intellectual property lawyers. WIPLA is comprised of many top intellectual property attorneys and it has been an honor to lead this organization.

At Illumina, (named the "Smartest Company" in 2014 by MIT's Technology Review) I managed strategic development of a portion of the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) patent portfolio. My primary responsibility was preparation and prosecution of patent applications worldwide. I worked closely with research and development teams to identify patentable and valuable intellectual property to develop a portfolio aligned with the product development goals of the business, participated in patentability and freedom to operate analysis, supported the litigation team, and cost effectively managed outside counsel.I was also sole counsel in charge of the trademark portfolio. This included U.S. and international trademark application preparation and prosecution; developing strategic ways to decrease cost of portfolio management without decreasing portfolio value; counseling management teams on U.S. and international trademark clearance searches, use, registration, risk assessment, licensing, coexistence, cease and desist letters, oppositions and negotiating; presenting trademark and domain name issues to marketing and executive teams and providing cost effective management of outside counsel. In addition, I counseled business teams on copyright licensing, including use of third party content as well as third party use of company content and supported marketing and media/communication departments in order to launch campaigns on tight deadlines.

During my time with O'Banion & Ritchey, I had the pleasure and privilege of drafting and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications for several of the country’s top universities, large international technology companies and start-ups. These clients often choose to prosecute their applications in numerous international jurisdictions which has given me the opportunity to counsel clients on the strategic development of extensive and complex patent portfolios.

While earning my Master's degree, I had a great time providing creative laboratory instruction for biology, cell biology, clinical microbiology and plant biology courses.

I was recruited by Matlock to assist in preparing and prosecuting patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office on subject matter including life sciences, computer hardware/software, data processing, electronic displays, electronic devices and business methods. I had the opportunity to participate in several patent infringement lawsuits and had extensive client contact from initial interviews through patent prosecution.

My first legal job was in law school where I was recruited by my torts professor to assist him in his teaching and research. I taught weekly torts review classes where I was successful in increasing attendance by 150% using creative teaching methods, such as drawing fact patterns from popular films. My topic of research consisted of confidentiality standards among attorneys and their clients, doctors and their patients, and priests and their penitents. Through this experience, I developed a strong foundation in legal research and gained confidence in presenting complex material to large groups.

Prior to attending law school, I acquired over four years of technical experience in the field of cancer research with a focus on immunology while working as a scientist for Aphton Corporation. Aphton is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics using vaccine-like techniques for neutralizing hormones that participate in gastrointestinal and reproductive system cancer and non-cancer diseases. I managed several research projects and presented data in report form, with spreadsheets, statistical data analysis and graphs. I formulated vaccines at precise dose concentrations and performed immunoassays, antibody purification, sterile cell culture and protein assays according to good manufacturing and good laboratory practices (GMP/GLP). In addition to designing and performing complex laboratory experiments, I was assigned to participate in many business aspects of the company. Specifically, I prepared summaries of clinical trial adverse events for submission to the FDA and the Institutional Review Board. This experience enabled me to develop the interpersonal skills that allowed me to conduct audits of contract laboratories smoothly. As a result, Aphton was able to maintain outstanding business relationships.