What is your academic and professional background?
I am a rising second-year law student at UC Law San Francisco. Prior to law school, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business and Political Economy from New York University and worked as a financial analyst.
Why did you choose to participate in the IP Licensing Summer Program?
As I navigate my legal career, I want to focus on a particular practice area. To ensure that I make the right choice, I plan to gain practical exposure to the legal fields I am least familiar with. The IP Licensing Summer Program offered practical knowledge and experience in the IP space, so the program was a perfect fit.
In what way is studying with a diverse group beneficial?
Studying with a diverse group is beneficial for gaining the type of knowledge that cannot be taught in a lecture. This summer, my classmates were not only law students from various universities and countries but working professionals as well. Studying with this diverse group taught me about differences in legal educations, work cultures, and communication styles that help us all understand each other on a personal and professional level. Gaining such understanding is especially useful when engaging in practical skills like negotiating or drafting agreements.
How did the Google site visit and OpenLab Mobile workshop contribute to the learning experience in the program?
The site visit and workshop helped put faces to the international licensing problems we learned about in lectures and negotiations. Instead of talking about companies and innovations abstractly as legal counsel, we get to gain insight into the processes and products we advocate for the protection of.
What is the most interesting thing you learned academically and personally during the summer program?
Academically, I loved learning about both the drawbacks and potential of blockchain technology in addressing licensing issues. Personally, I appreciated learning about Germany’s recycling system for glass bottles.
