Associate at Heslin, Rothenberg, Farley & Mesiti PC
How has your career path unfolded since graduating?
I am working at Heslin, Rothenberg, Farley & Mesiti PC in Albany, NY, and have been here since graduation.
What law tasks do you perform in your current role?
I do mostly intellectual property work. The bulk of my time is spent on patent and trademark prosecution, but I also advise clients on infringement matters and am involved in patent/trademark litigation. My background is in biology, but I generally operate in the mechanical/medical device space. I also do work in more ancillary areas of law. For example, I draft contracts including employment agreements, NDAs, terms of service, and privacy policies. Lastly, I practice cannabis law.
What is your favorite memory from law school?
Organizing therapy dogs for the students during finals weeks.
How has the Innovation Law Center prepared you for your career or current position?
The ILC gave me practice working directly with inventors, which is an invaluable experience for patent practice. The ILC also does a good job of helping students understand the various types of rejections – obviousness, novelty, eligibility – that we deal with regularly in practice.
What does being a member of the SU College of Law alumni community mean to you?
My parents and I all went to SU for our undergrad, so I see being part of the COL alumni as an extension of my already strong connections to the SU community.
Outside of your work as a lawyer, what are you passionate about?
I am passionate about animal welfare. I have volunteered with various animal welfare organizations, notably VAALAC and ‘Cuse Pit Crew in Syracuse. I am currently fostering two kittens.
What advice do you have for law students looking to enter your field?
Consider that many of your clients will be businesses or people looking to create a business who want to capitalize on their IP. Other aspects of law, such as contracts, administrative law, commercial transactions, business associations, and employment law will therefore pop up regularly, and it will be in your best interest to be well-rounded in your understanding of the law so that you can help clients navigate a broader range of problems. If you intend to litigate, the range of law you need to understand will be even broader.