After a career that took many twists and turns, Professor Ed Yee found a new home at Maryland Carey Law in 2018.
Before entering the legal world, Yee’s trajectory was firmly in the world of STEM. After earning degrees in mathematics at Yale and computer science at Johns Hopkins, Yee worked on various security projects for the United States Department of Defense (DoD). However, as he ascended the ladder within the DoD for 17 years, he eventually found himself far removed from the work he originally set out to do. Ultimately, he decided to make a change and enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Law.
Yee graduated from Maryland Law in 1997. From there he was able to combine his newly acquired law degree with his extensive experience in science and technology to create a successful career as a patent attorney. Yee joined Venable LLP as an associate in the Technology Division, where he worked on patent applications involving electronics and mechanical devices. He then worked in the Electronics Group at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox for over 11 years before becoming a partner at Garrett LLC, an IP boutique specializing in patent preparation and prosecution. During his career, Yee represented a diverse group of clients ranging from large companies such as Google and Reebok to high-tech start-ups. After a career that anyone would be proud of, he retired from practice in 2017 . . . at least, for a few months.
Yee quickly grew weary of retirement, and after a discussion with Patricia Campbell, Director of both the Intellectual Property Law Program and Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center, his career entered yet another chapter: teaching.
In 2018, Yee became a Patent Advisor in the Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic (IPEC). In 2019, Yee was appointed a clinical law instructor in IPEC, and since that time he has served as the patent clinic supervisor for IPEC’s participation in the USPTO’s Law School Clinic Certification Program. Working under Yee’s supervision, IPEC students counsel clients on the potential patentability of their inventions, prepare and file patent applications with the USPTO, and respond to office actions from the patent examiners. Yee has also taught the law school’s Patent Drafting course for the last two years, and he previously worked with students in the MSL program as well.
“We were delighted when Ed agreed to return to Maryland Carey Law,” Campbell said. “Under this supervision, the patent component of IPEC has grown from a mere aspiration to a reality. Our students and the clinic clients both benefit tremendously from Ed’s knowledge and experience, and he is a tremendous mentor to future patent attorneys.”
Reflecting on his career, Yee finds his favorite part is “working with younger people and facilitating their growth.”
After a career with a number of twists and turns, Yee’s students are certainly happy he’s found a home at Maryland Carey Law. “Professor Yee takes a genuine interest in each of his students and emphasizes personalized guidance and instruction,” shares alumnus Simon Lasker ’21. “Sitting with Professor Yee on client intake and invention disclosure meetings were some of my most valuable experiences in law school. Preparation for life after school is Professor Yee’s target, and he hits the mark. I am blessed to call Professor Yee teacher and mentor.”