"It feels wonderful to be in a job that understands that employees are people and that allows us to grow and stretch. It makes me feel valued as a person."
Finding a perfect fit at the USPTO
Over the last decade at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Cassie has advanced her career and professional development as a trademark examining attorney, mentor, and speechwriter. Her journey to America’s Innovation Agency began after she earned her law degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I have a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from UNC Chapel Hill, and my love of writing and the arts is what led me to law school,” Cassie said.
She said a few law school classmates at UNC Chapel Hill worked at the USPTO and raved about what a great place it was to work, adding that “the flexibility, ability to do important and impactful work, and the kindness and collegiality of colleagues” convinced her to stay. “It feels wonderful to be in a job that understands that employees are people and that allows us to grow and stretch. It makes me feel valued as a person,” she said.
She focused on intellectual property (IP) in law school and initially worked as an entertainment attorney at a top international law firm. But her passion for law and marketing, along with a desire for a more congenial environment, convinced her to transition to trademark law, and specifically to seek employment at the USPTO.
Cassie reflected on her early days at the USPTO, where her experience in the Trademark Academy provided her with essential training to succeed in her role. “
My law firm experiences had been ‘learn on the fly,’ and it was very stressful! Cassie said. "The academy provided a chance to slow down, to focus on learning the skills and getting to know your colleagues and the agency before jumping in. The front-end investment in its examiners is unique to the USPTO, and I believe it pays dividends for everyone.”
She emphasizes, though, that there is no single ideal career path for trademark examining attorneys, because different offices may be looking for different skill sets. “The best path to take is to learn how to do work on your own, how to set and reach your own production goals, how to keep yourself motivated, and how to be a collegial and collaborative colleague,” she asserts.
The pivot to speechwriting
After years of excelling as a trademark examining attorney, Cassie pursued a temporary assignment as an executive speechwriter in the Office of the Chief Communications Office. “After practicing law and examining for nearly 13 years, I was ready for a change and thrilled to work somewhere that afforded me the opportunity to pivot,” Cassie said.
The shift from trademark examining to speechwriting was seamless for Cassie, allowing her to leverage her legal and institutional knowledge daily while expanding her professional skills in a new area. “My deep knowledge of trademark law allows me to craft executive messaging that is informative and easy to understand by various audiences,” she explained.
As a speechwriter, Cassie’s workdays are dynamic and varied, unlike her previous position in examining, where her workdays were consistent and entirely her responsibility. She prepares remarks for USPTO leaders, attends meetings with internal and external stakeholders, organizes information from multiple sources, fact-checks data, and captures the executive’s voice and tone.
A growth mindset
When the opportunity arose to switch to a full-time role as a speechwriter, Cassie was ready to take on the challenge. “The time management and high-volume elements of examination serve me well in the fast-paced world of executive speechwriting,” she noted.
Cassie quickly welcomed the unique structure of the role. She describes this dynamic workflow as “exhilarating” and appreciates the variety in her work. “Some days I am able to work on remarks for an event a few weeks away, and some days a last-minute speaking request requires that I pivot and completely reorganize my day and my workplan,” Cassie said.
Looking ahead, Cassie is excited to continue building on her experiences. “My new position has afforded me the opportunity to ‘zoom out’ and understand the bigger picture of the USPTO’s mission, and I feel that the knowledge and skills I am gaining will prepare me for a number of roles in the future.”