From Complexity To Clarity®

Experience and Education

I am a licensed U.S. patent agent (USPTO Reg. # 57,418) and professional writer with twenty-five years of experience spanning patent drafting and prosecution, technical writing, science writing, journalism, business plan development, and scriptwriting for training films. 

I have provided these services to corporate, government, and military clients, both as an independent contractor and as a law firm employee. (For a more detailed list of prior work experience, clients and projects, please see my resume.)

Professional Experience

• Three and a half-years as a patent agent with a large, highly regarded, DC-based IP boutique law firm

• One year responding to office actions and editing draft patent applications for several DC area law firms

• Fifteen years documenting software (including GUIs, APIs, internal data structures), electronics, telecommunications, biotechnologies, and other advanced technologies for a variety of high technology companies

• Several dozen patent applications drafted and illustrated in full, spanning electronics, software, e-commerce, bio-medical technologies, biometrics, mechanical applications, and business methods

• Additional claims drafting and/or wholesale editing/rewriting of claim sets for numerous other patent applications

• Prosecuted over one hundred applications, writing hundreds of replies to USPTO office actions, and worked multiple pre-appeal briefs and reissues

Education

• B.A. from Cornell University as a College Scholar, with extensive studies in physics and applied math including standard junior/senior level courses (sufficient to qualify for the patent bar examination)

• M.A. in the Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD (home of the "great books" program)

• Additional post-college coursework in computer science, applied math, and electronics

Additional Background

While skilled in communicating complex ideas, I also write for general audiences. Fresh out of college, I wrote articles on science for popular audiences for Science Digest Magazine (which was, back in the 1980's, what Discover Magazine is today).

Better writing entails not just effective use of language. It is buttressed by strong interview skills, and an ability to work well with inventors. My extensive experience both in science journalism and technical writing, as well as patent work, are the foundation for a strong rapport with subject matter experts.

I have facility with various graphics tools and a keen sense of aesthetics, having designed elegant, informative graphics for many projects.

As part of my continuing education, I've earned a Certificate In Programming from Montgomery Community College, and I have also taken courses in advanced applied mathematics, and digital and analog electronics.