Danielle Abramson is currently SVP, Global Head of IP at RedHill Biopharma. She is a registered patent agent with an almost 20-year career in the legal field, which includes stints at several law firms where she created her own career path.

Danielle has a BS in mechanical engineering from Binghamton University, the top-ranked public university in New York. She also has a PhD in medical sciences from Brown University where her research centered on biomaterials and tissue engineering.

A diagnosis of scoliosis in eighth grade introduced Danielle to a life-long passion for science and engineering. A willingness to take risks, speak up, and consistently create new opportunities out of thin air have translated this passion into a trail-blazing career in patent law that has translated into better career paths for her fellow patent agents as well. 

In this episode, Danielle generously shares her actionable and practical blueprint for building a charmed, passion-filled career.

 Highlights include:

• The curve that started it all (02:14)
• The dogs that shifted a career path (5:27)
• The switch to biomaterials and tissue engineering (07:50)
• Getting things done, with a light touch (10:04)
• The dining-room-table patent law firm (11:06)
• Dipping a toe into patent law as a tech specialist in Boston (13:34)
• Finding a law-firm position that fits (15:40)
• A mentor’s positioning advice to a young patent agent (17:03)
• The value of strong relationships in building career flexibility (18:21)
• Who says a patent agent can’t develop business? (20:42)
• Speaking up – for the good of your client work (23:08) 
• Setting boundaries and keeping toxic colleagues at bay (24:34)
• Building the first-ever patent agent career track in a law firm (29:02)
• Creating one’s own in-house position (34:30)
• Busting myths about the life of an in-house counsel (40:10)
• The blueprint for a dream career (45:38)
• The value of admitting you don’t know what you’re doing and asking for help (52:03)

Thanks for listening to Sidebars! Connect with us:

• Learn more about April Abele Isaacson
• Check out other insights from Kilpatrick
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
• Questions or feedback? Reach out at [email protected]
• Learn more about Kilpatrick

**The opinions expressed are those of the attorneys and do not necessarily reflect the views of the firm or its clients. This podcast is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.