Careers in patent law: insights from a former postdoc

The BCH PDA Career Development Committee presents:

Careers in patent law: insights from a former postdoc

In this session, Dr. Kopeikina (Kathy) will speak about her career choices and her path to DT Ward, PC. Kathy will describe the skills she believes are necessary for success in patent law and describe what the “average” day for a technical specialist in a patent law firm may look like. She will share the challenges and learning moments of the transition from academia and most importantly answer whatever questions the audience may have.

Kathy is a technical specialist at a Boston-area law firm (DT Ward, PC), which specializes in developing patent portfolios for small biotech start-ups. Kathy graduated with a BA in neuroscience from Bates College, and worked as a research technician for two years in the Biochemistry Department at Boston University. Then she went back to Neurobiology, but via an MS in Biomedical Forensics and a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology. She did a post-doc at Northwestern University in Chicago where it became clear to her that academia was not the right fit. Kathy started sending out applications for industry positions, editorial positions, medical liaison positions and anything that would allow her to use her neuroscience and anatomy background. Turns out, patent law is the perfect fit.

Kathy will present her experiences, as well as talk about current openings at DT Ward, PC.

Dinner and refreshments will be provided.