Biography
Anticipated Graduation Year: I’m a part-time night student and I plan on graduating in 2024.
Hometown? I grew up in Tacoma, Washington, but I’ve lived in Portland for over ten years now, so it feels like home.
Undergraduate & Previous Work Experience. My undergrad degree is from Lewis & Clark College and I studied English. After graduating I wanted to stay in Portland, so I applied to every entry-level office job I could find. I ended up getting hired at a downtown IP firm as a trademark specialist. I found out that I really love trademark law, and so over the last several years I’ve worked on building my skills and deepening my knowledge of the field. I’m so excited to be in law school now so I can practise as a trademark attorney in the future.
Are you currently employed? If so, with whom? I work at Kolitch Romano LLP, a small boutique IP firm in downtown Portland.
What sparked your interest in studying intellectual property law? I didn’t know anything about IP until I started working at IP firms in Portland. However, trademark law in particular really works for me, because of my interest in language. I love how complex the problems in law are, and how you need to look at situations from so many different angles.
What do you find most interesting/surprising about intellectual property law? I started out working in trademark law in a very narrow way. I only worked on trademark prosecution, and didn’t have a sense of the larger bodies of law that affect trademark law. I’ve been fascinated as I learn more at work and also in law school about how interconnected different areas of law are.
What do you do for fun? I’m a big reader, and I like to knit and sew. I also love going on long walks with my dog, and spending time with my boyfriend. Before Covid I used to travel a lot, but this year has been all about staying home and being content with a quiet homebody life.
Favorite places in Portland? My favorite places in Portland are Mt. Tabor, the Goodfoot, and basically all of the small, cheap independent movie theaters!
Why did you pick Lewis & Clark Law School? I had a great undergraduate experience at Lewis & Clark, and Lewis & Clark Law School was also the best option for me to stay in Portland and continue working at the same firm.
What has been your favorite experience so far? This year has been tough because of Covid, but it has been great to bond with the other night students. We all have so much in common, and I look forward to getting to know them better over the next 2-3 years.