Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales
Stephanie Dusaban Gonzales received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences (BMS) from UCSD where she studied G-protein coupled receptors signaling networks relevant to disease pathologies of the central nervous system. During her graduate work, she held leadership positions such as co-chair for Gordon Research Seminar Molecular Pharmacology, Lead Facilitator for the Department of Pharmacology Scientific Journal Club, and student representative for BMS Admissions Committee. During this time she also explored patent law classes and networked with patent agents and lawyers she met through information sessions. After graduating, she completed a short postdoc and then went on to obtain her JD from University of San Diego. Stephanie currently works as a Patent Attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Can you describe your academic and professional background? What path led you to pursue this field?
I have always been interested in science and as early as high school worked in a research laboratory. I decided to go to Cornell for my undergraduate studies because of their strong science programs and because I would have an opportunity to participate in research. This further solidified my desire to pursue a PhD program. Although I enjoyed the type of research I did while an undergraduate, I wanted to do something more translational for my PhD work. The UCSD Biomedical Sciences program allowed me to do that. Half-way through graduate school, I started exploring options that would allow me to use my PhD. I had heard that you could work in patent law with a PhD and to determine if this was something I was interested in, I took a few patent related classes through the UCSD extension. I decided this was the path for me and having talked with a few professionals in the field decided to go to law school. After my PhD, I started law school part-time while working as a post-doctoral fellow. During my first year of law school, I took the patent bar and became a patent agent. I then transitioned to working as a patent agent at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati ("Wilson Sonsini") for the last three years of law school. Currently, I am a patent attorney at Wilson Sonsini and have been enjoying it ever since.
How did you find this particular position, and what was the hiring process like? Is there a typical structure for this in your field?
The patent law classes I took as a graduate student exposed me to several lawyers in the field. UCSD also offered informational sessions in patent law. From there, I set up as many informational interviews as I could to learn more about my options using my PhD. Based on the information I gathered, I decided that I was going to go to law school part-time so that I could work as a scientific advisor (someone who has not passed the patent bar yet) or a patent agent full-time. From there, I applied to as many related jobs at firms in San Diego and went to as many networking events as I could.
Once I passed the patent bar, I also talked with a professor at my law school about how to get my foot in the door. He put me into contact with an attorney at Wilson Sonsini and from there I interviewed and got the job. I found that it helps to have a contact or someone who could pass your resume along at law firms. However, I also interviewed at firms by just applying if there was a job opening. For someone who came straight out of a PhD, looking for a job in patent law, I learned it takes diligence and applying to as many opportunities as you can.
Can you tell us about your current responsibilities? What is a typical day or week like in your role? What do you enjoy about your current job and work environment?
What I love about working at Wilson Sonsini are the type of clients and people I get to work with. We work with a lot of start-ups including university spin outs whose most important asset is their intellectual property. As a patent attorney, not only do I help clients with trying to get patents, which is referred to as patent prosecution but I also work on other aspects of a client's business strategy. This can include doing analysis of whether a client can practice their product without issues from third-party IP or helping clients looking to get acquired or go public. Unlike graduate school where you are working on a few projects at a time, I work on many projects at a time. The turn around is also much shorter and you have to jump from one thing to the next very quickly. As a patent agent, I did much more patent prosecution. As an attorney, this is still part of my practice but I am also more involved in the business and IP strategy for clients. It is a fast-paced job that is always interesting and always changing.
What are some of the challenging aspects of your job? Is there anything you wish you had known about your job or industry before joining?
What I described above relating to the fast-paced and changing aspects of the job that makes it exciting can also make the job challenging. There is generally no down time during the day. Clients do not come to you with simple problems.
Do you have any professional plans for the future? What are some future career paths that could open up for someone in your position, 5-10 years down the road?
There are many different career paths for someone with a PhD wanting to do patent law. One can work as a scientific advisor without having passed the patent bar or gone to law school. At most firms, scientific advisors end up taking the patent bar while working at a firm. Another option is to be a patent agent. A patent agent primarily works doing patent prosecution and there are several opportunities either at a law firm or at a company. If you go to law school, you can work as a patent attorney. For me as a patent attorney, one can work towards being a partner at a firm or there are several opportunities at a company.
What activities, internships, or organizations would you recommend someone get involved with to help them break into this field?
UCSD offered free classes through UCSD extension. It was a great opportunity to explore other opportunities outside of science. I did not participate in any internships or organizations as a graduate student, but would recommend participating in these if those opportunities are available. Particularly if you are going into a non-academic field not having any experience in that field, you want to make sure you can tell a story and distinguish yourself from other PhD's.
Is it common for people in your field to have a scientific/academic background (i.e. have PhDs)? Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages someone with a PhD might experience while pursuing or working in your field?
To work in patent law you have to have a scientific background. Particularly in the life sciences, patent agents and attorneys generally have an advanced degree, most often a PhD An advanced degree is needed to understand a client's technology and to provide the best advice for a client.
The only disadvantage I can think of, which is not really a disadvantage, is that because of the PhD, you get a later start in your career at a firm. Most lawyers who are not in patent law start at a firm in their mid-20s. Having the PhD means you are starting at least 5-6 years later.
Do you have any final words of advice for those navigating these career questions? Is there anything you would have done differently given what you know now?
My last piece of advice is to explore as many non-academic options as you can including talking to as many different people in the field. If there are any internships or activities to participate in, do that. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there.
