Name: Michael Rosato
Position: Attorney
Organization: Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
Gray Cary is a national law firm that represents emerging growth and technology companies.
Year graduated from UW DEOHS: 1999
Degree: Master of Science
Program: Toxicology

After completing his MS in Toxicology in 1999, Michael Rosato continued his education in the University of Washington School of Law. While in school, Michael worked for the the Washington State Attorney General Office and for the UW Office of Technology Transfer. Upon completing his J.D. Michael began his position as an attorney with Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, LLP.

In his position, Michael provides counseling in all areas of intellectual property law, including copyright, trademark, and patent protection.  His practice is primarily focused on patent protection in the field of biotechnology.  His clients may range from large corporations to individual inventors to non-profit organizations, such as universities and research institutions.
 
Michael finds one of the most appealing aspects of his position to be constantly working with various new technologies, resulting in a learning process that really is continuous. It is also interesting to follow the commercial development of a product, starting with invention and eventually making its way into the marketplace.
 
His experience in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences benefits Michael in his current position because it helped him to build the foundation in basic sciences that is required in practicing patent law. Working in the field of biotechnology, he also draws in his background in immunology and cellular and molecular biology. Michael says that the most important thing that he learned at DEOHS "was becoming comfortable with learning about new technology.  Patentable subject matter is, by definition, new and otherwise unknown, therefore, a level of proficiency and comfort in learning new material becomes extremely important. This is true not only in the practice of law, but also in many other professions."
 
Michael encourages students to "enjoy the unique opportunities presented in graduate school to test out and pursue their interests.  The pieces of professional development will eventually fall into place, whether this happens in school or afterward."
 
And for new graduates interested in law, Michael has found that "demand in the professional services industry really follows the overall economy, and having a science background can provide a competitive advantage in the legal field."

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