Published in citybiz: An Interview with Joseph DePalma, Ph.D., the Newest IP Associate at Lando & Anastasi

Joe DePalma, in an interview with citybiz, reflects on pursuing a career in IP law, recently passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam, and his first few months as L&A’s newest Associate.

Tell me about your background and current IP law practice? What type of work do you do?

I have a background that I would best characterize as hybrid between chemistry, physics, and electrical engineering. I have a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Delaware and spent three years as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow in chemical physics at Yale University. My work as a graduate student and postdoctoral research fellow investigated the role of chemistry and physics in global climate and the development of novel spectroscopic instrumentations for characterizing nanoparticles and molecular clusters.

My practice at Lando & Anastasi, LLP (L&A) is primarily patent preparation and prosecution, but I have worked on post-grant proceedings, legal opinions, due diligence reviews, and trademark and copyright matters, as well. I am fortunate that my expertise in a variety of technologies affords me the opportunity to work with virtually every subject matter group at the firm—from life sciences to electrical engineering and everything in between, and I approach all the work with the same level of enthusiasm.

What inspired you to pursue a career in IP law?

I had an epiphany in my scientific career while at Yale where I was exposed to how academic science was leveraged into the corporate world via technology transfer and licensing. The lab I worked in at Yale had a patent portfolio based around the instruments developed in the lab and I was able to observe how patents were drafted and prosecuted from a high level. I reached out to Yale Ventures and inquired about alternative career options—other than the traditional academic pathway or industrial laboratory pathway—that would best leverage my scientific expertise and writing skills. I soon realized that IP law would provide me with a perfect combination that keeps me engaged in cutting-edge science while having access to the intricacies of how innovations are incorporated into profitable businesses.

Read the rest of the interview at citybiz.co.