Education

The University of Akron School of Law, Akron, OH   

Juris Doctor; LL.M. in Intellectual Property

• cum laude; Top 30% Class Ranking

• President, IP & Technology Law Association

• VP, Moot Court Honor Society; Participant (External Trademark Competition)

Hiram College, Hiram, OH                              

B.A. in Biology (with Honors); B.A. in Spanish

• cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa

• State Department Internship

• Cross Country (Women’s Captain); Oboe in Concert Band; Majorette; Campus Tour Guide

Legal Experience

 McGuireWoods, LLP, Atlanta, GA [Am Law 100 Ranked Law Firm]

Counsel (July 2021-Present)

• Advise corporate clients on a range of intellectual property (IP), transactional, advertising, data privacy, product safety, regulatory, and corporate matters.

• Manage legal projects spanning industry regulations (e.g. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)), data privacy (e.g. CCPA, GDPR, PCI- DSS, HIPAA), commercial contracts, and litigation/arbitration.

• Provide counsel throughout the healthcare supply chain, including to pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, medical device, food and beverage, manufacturing, research and development, life science, and digital health and technology companies.

• Conduct due diligence in debt/finance and M&A transactions relating to healthcare, life science, and FDA- and FTC-regulated industries.

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Atlanta, GA [Pharmaceutical Marketing, Sales, & Manufacturing Company & Affiliates]

Associate General Counsel (December 2018-July 2021)

• Managed a wide variety of legal matters across four company affiliates, including those spanning product pipeline strategy (e.g. IP protection, freedom-to-operate review of proposed products, business development, and branding proposals), commercial contracts, Human Resources, and regulations and compliance (e.g. FDA, OPDP, DEA, State Price Transparency; State Boards of Pharmacy; data privacy).

• Performed legal analysis for Rx and OTC drug products, cosmetics, and dietary supplements with respect to applicable State and Federal regulations.

• Worked with marketing and regulatory departments to ensure product labelling, marketing, and advertising compliance.

• Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated commercial contracts, including those relating to product development, product distribution and manufacture, marketing, confidentiality, consulting, staffing, IT, and facilities/procurement.

• Negotiated, and performed due diligence for, high-stakes commercial transactions relating to IP licensing and asset purchase, including exclusive license and development agreements for a patent- and trademark-protected pharmaceutical products.

• Developed company policies and agreement templates to ensure compliance with applicable law, for example for data privacy, marketing, and company interactions with healthcare professionals (e.g. Sunshine Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Stark Law).

Inform, Inc., Atlanta, GA [Digital Syndication & Advertising Company]

Corporate Counsel (Sept. 2018-Dec. 2018)

• Served as sole internal provider of legal support for media & tech startup, spanning commercial contracts, intellectual property, corporate law, & compliance.

• Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts including content licensing, distribution agreements, advertising contracts, technology licenses, and leases.

Emory University Office of Technology Transfer, Atlanta, GA [Commercialization Office for University IP]

Licensing Associate (Sept. 2017-Sept. 2018)

• Evaluated & made recommendations regarding the commercial value of IP disclosed by University employees and identified potential licensees for such IP.

• Negotiated IP licenses with life science companies, including for a patented novel class of non-nucleoside class-II capsid assembly modulators (pre-clinical stage).

• Monitored licensees’ obligations to comply with agreed-upon diligence milestones for licensed technologies and confirmed royalty payments were made.

Technology Transfer Contracts Specialist (Sept. 2016-Sept. 2017)

• Negotiated University contracts for incoming and outgoing transfers of research material, human subjects’ data (HIPAA & GDPR compliant), research data, software, and equipment, as well as confidentiality agreements, service agreements, and collaboration agreements with corporate and non-profit entities.

• Ensured research compliance with HIPAA regulations and Export Control laws.

• Advised analysts in the Office of Sponsored Programs in reviewing and drafting intellectual property language in sponsored research and grant award agreements.

Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, Atlanta, GA [Pro Bono Legal Services Organization for Artists & Arts Organizations]

Legal Fellow (Jan. 2016-Sept. 2016)                                                       

• Researched and provided advice for pro bono clients relating to trademark, patent, copyright, contracts, non-profit formation, employment law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Pearne & Gordon, LLP, Cleveland, OH [Intellectual Property Boutique Law Firm]

Associate Patent Attorney (Aug. 2013-May 2015); Law Clerk (Feb. 2012-Aug 2013)                                              

• Conducted background research for and drafted legal opinions relating to patent validity and infringement, frequently evaluating arguments with technical advisors and inventors to ensure accuracy.

• Evaluated patents, published applications, and relevant scientific articles.

• Made strategic recommendations relating to the commencement of costly FDA filing procedures, drug product labeling, selection of drug manufacturers, and product launch timing.

• Prepared and filed official correspondence relating to trademark prosecution, federal copyright registration, and patent prosecution.

• Provided other legal support including the creation and maintenance of internal memos and guidelines relating to controlling regulations and case law.

Skills & Organizations

• Georgia Attorney, Reg. No. 444953; Ohio Attorney, Reg. No. 90984

• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Reg. No. 71584

• Pro bono Attorney for Georgia Lawyers for the Arts; Member of Advisory Board

• Spanish / English Bilingual (Proficient Fluency)

• Founder & Legal Educator, Start Up Heart Up

Teaching Experience & Media Features

Whether personally or through my business (Start Up Heart Up), I’ve had the privilege of speaking and writing on various media platforms and in classrooms. A summary is provided below. Please feel free to ask me about any of these, as public speaking and sharing knowledge on the topics of law and entrepreneurship is a passion of mine.

♥︎↑

Start Up Heart Up, LLC, Atlanta, GA [Legal & Business Education Platform for Small Business Owners]

Founder, Author, & Educator                                              

•  I have had the opportunity to teach, mentor, and collaborate with entrepreneurship educators in several ways, including:

  • Writing and publishing a guided entrepreneurship workbook and planner with business, marketing, and legal content.

  • Conducting workshops and seminars with small business owners.

  • Providing guest-speaking to classrooms, as well as in-person and online small business communities.

  • Building a community of eager learners on social media, with over 20,000 followers under the handles @LawyerKae (Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter).

  • Publishing educational newsletters and blogs to 800+ email subscribers.

  • Providing pro bono legal services to non-profits and individuals in need of financial assistance, including business contract drafting and negotiation, intellectual property protection and licensing, and business formation and regulations.

  • Working with educational institutions, industry groups, and independent educational platforms to teach business and legal topics to entrepreneurs, students, and even other lawyers, including:

    ·   June 2022: Legal Basics for Photography Businesses (Our Sacred Vows: Photography Education)

    ·   Apr. 2022: Patent Law Updates for Life Science Technology (IP Watchdog)

    ·   Mar. 2022: Intellectual Property for Cannabis Businesses (North Carolina IP Law Section)

    ·   Mar. 2022: Exploring IP Careers (University of Akron School of Law)

    ·   Mar. 2022: Legal Basics for New Entrepreneurs (EntrepreNEW & Woodridge High School)

    ·   Feb. 2022: Legal Basics for New Entrepreneurs (Georgia Lawyers for the Arts)

    ·   Oct. 2021: Patent Law 101: Subject Matter Eligibility (GA Intellectual Property Alliance)

    ·   Sept. 2021: Future of Life Science Intellectual Property (IP Watchdog LIVE Conference)

    ·   Sept. 2021: Legal Roadmap for Small Business Owners (The Quench Collective Community)

    ·   May 2021: Business Launches & Why They Fail (Rebranded Podcast)

    ·   April 2021: Legal Basics for New Entrepreneurs (EntrepreNEW & Woodridge High School)

    ·   Feb. 2021: Making Sure Your Business is Legally Legit (Planner Boss Academy Workshop)

    ·   Jan. 2021: Small Business Legal Roadmap (CURATED 2021: Women in Business Summit)

    ·   Nov. 2020: Pursuing Entrepreneurship & Avoiding Legal Mishaps (How to Money Podcast)

    ·   Nov. 2020: Starting Your Business the Legal Way (Mom, Start a Business Podcast)

    ·   Sept. 2020: Top 3 Legal Mistakes to Avoid as a Business Owner (Girls Guide Community)

    ·   Aug. 2020: Taking Your Business Idea to Market (The Corporate Side Hustler Podcast)

    ·   Aug. 2020: From Dream Hustle to Business Launch (ATL Girl Gang Community)

    ·   July 2020:  Idea to Launch Workbook Feature (Lady Boss Box)

    ·   June 2020: Patents, Products, & Baton-Twirling with Kae (Sh*tty Idea Time Podcast)

    ·   June 2020: How to Monetize Your Passion (Create a Life You Love Podcast)

    ·   Feb. 2020: Working with Outside Counsel for Patent Matters (IPWatchdog.com)

    ·   Fall 2019: Balancing Your Side Hustle (The Boho Business Guide Podcast)

    ·   Summer 2017: Legal Questions for Entrepreneurs (Break into Business Summer Camp)

    ·   Summer 2016: Patents 101: Introduction to Patent Law (Georgia Lawyers for the Arts)

    ·   Winter 2016: Trademarks for New & Emerging Businesses (Georgia Lawyers for the Arts)

    ·   Spring 2015: Patent Law & Engineering (Nepris.com)

    ·   Winter 2015: Intellectual Property Law 101 (Phi Beta Kappa Society of Cleveland)

    ·   Fall 2014: “UnReal” Campaign: Trademarks & Counterfeiting (Solon High School)

    ·   Spring 2014: Patent Law & Engineering (Cleveland State University)