Networking Tips for Scientists Interested in Patent Law

By Lexus Tatge, Director of IP Education

Sometimes, life feels like a series of happy accidents tied together by luck and chance conversations. Looking back, I realize my journey—from a biochemistry major to a budding patent law enthusiast—unfolded because I leaned into moments that seemed ordinary but turned out to be transformative. As the oldest of six and a first-generation college student soon to earn a Ph.D., I've navigated uncharted territory for my family. No one in my family has pursued a Ph.D. or J.D., but here I am, and here's how five seemingly random encounters shaped my career (and life)—and how they might inspire you to embrace the power of networking and the occasional leap of faith.

My High School Hockey Coach

Senior year hockey season was winding down, and I was the only senior on my team. Yes, I grew up playing ice hockey—almost all Minnesotans do. But I had no plans to play in college. My goal was to get as far from home as possible (I only applied to schools in Boston or California).

After a brutal overtime loss that marked the end of my senior season, I looked around the locker room and realized something: everyone else had at least one more season left. After 15 years on the ice, practicing five days a week, I was done. It hit me hard.

As we left the locker room to board the bus, our coaches handed back our phones. On the hour-long ride home, I did what I always did—checked my email to see if there were any updates on my college applications. There weren't. But there was an email from Hamline University, the school where both of my coaches had played hockey. The email invited me to apply, offering to waive the application fee and essay requirement.

I'd never considered going to a small school in Minnesota, but something about that email stuck with me. I stood up, walked to the front of the bus, and asked my coaches if they could reach out to their former coach to see if he'd be willing to meet with me.

A week later, I committed to playing hockey at Hamline University.

My hockey goalie turned recruiter

My first week as a freshman at Hamline was where things got interesting. There were just three of us hockey freshmen: Brede, Molly, and me (hi, guys—hope you're reading this). Brede and I were roommates, and Molly lived across the hall. Molly wasn't just our hockey goalie; she was also the lacrosse goalie.

During that first week, I told Molly how I'd always wanted to play lacrosse but never had the chance—my town didn't have a team, and my high school athletic director had denied my request to play for a nearby school. To my surprise, Molly told the head lacrosse coach my story. A week later, there were tryouts, and somehow, I made the team—despite never having touched a lacrosse stick before. Within 48 hours, I was on a varsity lacrosse team.

Fast forward two years, and I was elected team captain as a junior and a senior, helping lead our team to Nationals three years in a row. Lacrosse gave me incredible opportunities in college, but that was just the beginning. In 2019, I found out I had been accepted to UT Southwestern while on a lacrosse trip to Spain. I remember running into the lobby crying to share the news with my coaches and a few of my teammates.

In 2020, I started coaching lacrosse as an evening outlet to counteract the stress of a PhD. By 2021, I was offered a head coach role at a high school. In 2022, my team reached the state semifinals, and I was named USA Lacrosse Texas Coach of the Year. And in 2023, we won the Texas state tournament.

From not even holding a lacrosse stick to leading a team to a state championship, it's safe to say this sport has shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined. The takeaway? Tell people your dreams, even if you think they're long past you. I thought I was going to play ice hockey in college, and instead lacrosse paved a completely new path.

The Professor Who Said I Couldn't

In college, as a biochemistry major juggling lacrosse and dreams of an MD/PhD, I was once called into a professor's office to "talk" early spring of my junior year. Their advice? Quit lacrosse if I ever wanted to get into an MD/PhD program. Naturally, I did the opposite. The very next day, I cold-emailed an MD/PhD program director at the Texas Medical Center to ask if they had room for a summer research intern. To my surprise, they did, proving that cold emails work.

That summer, I drove from St. Paul to Houston and fell even more in love with bench work. I designed my own research project, learned to stain breast cancer cells, and mastered the confocal microscope. I even shadowed a neurologist in an Alzheimer's clinic.

The biggest lesson that summer? If someone doubts you, don't back down. Push harder, because sometimes your next opportunity—or biggest supporter—is just one bold email away.

The Postdoc Who Read My Soul

During that summer research stint, a postdoc mentor unintentionally derailed my plans to pursue an MD/PhD—but in the best way possible. About four weeks into my time in Houston, I received my MCAT scores. They weren't what I'd hoped, and I came into lab feeling defeated, fresh from a clinic shift I found too boring for my own good. Sensing my frustration, the postdoc looked me dead in the eye and said, "Lexus, you're not an MD. Don't go to medical school. Stop going to the clinic. You think like a PhD—you're a scientist."

No one had ever been that blunt with me, let alone blunt about my career goals. Strangely, it was validating. For the first time, I felt like I could let go of a path I'd been clinging to, even if it wasn't the right fit. And I didn't have to pursue it because a professor told me I wasn't good enough to, it was because a scientist told me he saw potential in me. Within 24 hours, I called my family and told them I was dropping the MD from the MD/PhD plan. It wasn't an easy pivot, but it was the right one. Sometimes, it takes a brutally honest outsider to remind you that you don't need to fulfill anyone else's expectations to find the path meant for you.

A Free Lunch That Paid Off

Back at Hamline during my senior year, I attended a "Women in Sports" luncheon—mainly for the free food. The event paired junior and senior athletes with alumni who shared similar majors from their time as student-athletes. At my table was Nicole (name changed), a Hamline alum from the '70s. Nicole had double majored in chemistry and biology before earning a Ph.D. in immunology at Harvard. After a postdoc and an AAAS fellowship, she pivoted into patent law, eventually earning a J.D.

I'd heard of the MD/Ph.D. path, but a Ph.D./J.D.? And patent law? I had never heard of two seemingly distinct paths converging on one job. By the end of that lunch, I was hooked. Nicole has generously stayed in my network for the past six years, answering my countless questions about patent law, meeting for coffee over Christmas break, and connecting me with younger patent professionals at her firm who are just a few steps ahead of me on this journey.

Before that lunch, I imagined myself as a professor at a small liberal arts college, maybe coaching their division 3 lacrosse program. Afterward, patent law became my focus. Sometimes, the most impactful connections happen over a simple shared meal.

What I've Learned About Networking

If there's one common thread in these stories, it's that networking doesn't have to be formal or intimidating. It's about staying curious, taking the initiative, and following up with the people you meet. Here's what I've learned about networking over the years:

1. Share Your Goals (Even If They're Half-Baked)

People can't help you if they don't know what you're aiming for. Mention your interests, even casually—you never know who might have valuable advice or connections. For instance, I had no idea one of my referees was a patent attorney at a major tech company until another coach mentioned it after I told her I was applying to law school.

2. Cold (or Semi-Cold) Emails Work

Seriously, they do. At my lab's annual retreat, I had breakfast with our keynote speaker and learned that her best friend had worked as a patent agent before graduating law school in 2023. I asked for her name, reached out, and made a valuable connection.

A polite email or text can open doors you didn't know existed. Here is what I sent over:

> Subject: Chatting about Patent Law

> Good evening Dr. [Name],

>My name is Lexus Tatge and I am a 6th year Ph.D. candidate at UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. I have had the great pleasure of getting to know your friend Dr. [Name] for the last few years and every time her and I connect she brings you up as someone I should reach out to.

>I am fully committed and interested in the path of patent law, especially in biotech and life sciences. At my university, I have not met anyone who has gone into patent law, so I have been trying to connect with scientists in the industry anytime I get the chance. If you have time, I would love to chat on zoom or a phone call to ask more about your career trajectory, any advice you have for someone going into patent law, any advice for possible internships, what does your average day look like, and anything in between.

>Thank you for your time,

>Lexus Tatge

Simple, right? Personalize the email template above with your own information and set a goal to send five emails this week to people you'd like to bring into your network.

3. Networking isn't a one-time thing

Follow up! Keep in touch with your contacts and stay organized. I use an Excel spreadsheet to track my network, including: (1) their name, (2) how to contact them, (3) their profession, (4) who connected us, and (5) key takeaways from our conversation. You never know when you'll need to introduce someone. Also, send updates, express gratitude, and let your contacts know how their advice has helped you.

4. Diversify Your Contacts

You never know who has valuable connections or how their knowledge could help you in the future. Don't limit yourself to just people in your desired field—I've connected with law professors, biomedical experts, lawyers with no direct ties to patent law, paralegals, biotech professionals, Chief Scientific Officers at private institutes, and even lacrosse referees (one is a patent attorney, another has a brother who is). The list goes on. Everyone has something to offer. You never know when your grandma's hairstylist's dog washer's best friend could help land you your dream job.

5. Join Organizations

Two major groups come to mind for networking in patent law: the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).

AIPLA is one of the largest associations for intellectual property professionals. It's a vast community for IP experts and those looking to enter the field (e.g., students or people considering a career change). AIPLA offers numerous committees, including Biotechnology and Women in IP, along with webinars, Q&A panels, conferences, and more. There's truly something for everyone. Membership is free for students. Check out: https://www.aipla.org/

AUTM focuses more on the university technology transfer side of intellectual property. They offer an outstanding Technology Transfer Training (T3) Program each year. Fellows in this program receive a full AUTM membership, an assigned mentor, and access to monthly cohort meetings with guest speakers. You also get full access to AUTM's webinar library, registration for the fall "Essentials Course" (held in Portland this year), and registration for the spring annual meeting in D.C. You'll even get to attend a regional meeting. Check out: https://www.autm.net/

Imposter Syndrome and Final Thoughts

Yes, networking can feel awkward. Yes, you might feel out of place. That's normal. And no, you're not a burden. The truth is, most people want to help if you ask, and they love sharing their stories. I certainly do—if I didn't, I wouldn't be writing this blog. No one expects you to have it all figured out on your own.

Whether it's a hockey coach, a girl across the hall, a professor who told you to quit, a postdoc who pointed you in a better direction, or a random alum, the people you meet can change your life in ways you never expect. So, be open to conversations, say yes to opportunities, and don't be afraid to reach out. You never know where your next big break will come from—even if it starts with a free lunch.