ATLANTA -- A career in Intellectual Property Law can be more than just the triumvirate of patents, copyrights and trademarks. 

The Intellectual Property Law Society hosted a diverse panel of three practitioners in the field where they divulged a few secrets of beginning and sustaining a career in technology law as well as some of the practical implications of working with technology.

A solo practitioner, Shelley Welch Cox says she is a great example of someone who "fell backwards into technology law." 

With a Bachelor’s in Music from Georgia State and a secondary degree in Music Industry Management, Cox seems to be an unlikely candidate for technology law. However, her background in music management and contracts made her the perfect fit when Rockwell Collins needed legal representation dealing with aviation electronics development and licensing. 

Her solo practice in Jefferson, Ga. is a general practice with a specialty in technology law because she "is not afraid to touch anything dealing with technology" and feels that any issue that "touches on or arises from technology is a technology law issue."

Doug Isenberg (pictured), a Georgia State Law graduate, has worked in large firms, small firms and as in house council dealing with a variety of technology law issues. Isenberg created a blog, GigaLaw.com, where he discusses internet law. Isenberg focuses most of his attention to trademark infringements dealing with internet IP addresses and domain names. 

Sarah Shalf, an associate from Bondurant, Mixon and Elmore, LLP, says "there is a distinction between technology law and being a technology lawyer." In her opinion, in order to be successful an attorney needs to think about who the clients are, "talk the same language," and "understand the personality of those in the industry."

When asked how to make a name for yourself in the field of technology law the answer was simple--networking--either through traditional meet and greets or through social networking websites such as Twitter or Facebook.

The IPLS hopes to help students with their networking through a mentor/mentee program and taking part in the happy hour and networking event at Gordon Bierch hosted by the Technology Bar Section of the State Bar of Georgia on Thursday, October 8, at 5 p.m. If you are interested in either event, contact Warren Thomas at warren.thomas@gmail.com. 

~ Cindi Yabrough, Georgia State Law student