Intellectual Property in 2021 and Beyond
By Desiree Goff • December 31, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
As the last article for the 2020 Writers in Residence column “Becoming a Zebra”, I want to thank the many influential attorneys who continue to lead, working diligently and persistently with passion for endeavors to improve the world around them. While this series was very limited in describing areas of legal practice and awe inspiring women in the legal profession, what I hope you the reader take away is a fervor for excellence in the legal career you dedicate yourself to and a remembrance to contribute to the community in which you find yourself. As we look ahead to the…
Protecting Agricultural Advances
By Desiree Goff • December 01, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
As my local CSA order ends and colder weather arrives, now is a great time to evaluate what protections can be put in place for agricultural and plant innovations. Plant patents, the zebras of the patent world, have experienced somewhat of a resurgence in the last few decades with advances in genetic engineering. Pursuant to MPEP 1600, the manual of patent examining procedure, all plants are patentable except those which are bacteria or tuber-propagated. Tuber-propagated plants examples are potatoes or turnips - plants by which the propagated part is what you eat. The plant must either have been invented or…
Leaning into the Law of the Sea
By Desiree Goff • November 01, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
Continuing on in our search of leading women attorneys at the intersection of legal and scientific fields, we are looking at the practice of Admiralty or Maritime Law for this month. A somewhat obscure area of law practice, admiralty or maritime law is the body of law that governs navigation and shipping, both substantively and procedurally.* While not necessarily scientifically based, it combines ocean policy, admiralty, and maritime commerce. For example, anything from accidents due to colliding fishing vessels, discovery of sunken treasures, the employee rights of those working at sea, and environmental conflicts such as toxic waste dumps may…
Clean Air, Clean Water, and Losing a Trailblazer
By Desiree Goff • September 25, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
In a month filled with fires and hurricanes, and in homage to a pioneering woman lawyer and Supreme Court justice, we are taking a look at what a career in environmental law entails and how Ruth Bader Ginsburg approached her decision making process when confronted with environmental law cases. A fighter for equality and for justice, RBG forged the path for countless women lawyers to come behind her. In her years on the bench, many influential cases came before her. Justice Ginsburg’s opinions ranged from regulating greenhouse gas emissions to expressing support for a more expansive definition of jurisdictional waters…
Suiting Up for Space Law
By Desiree Goff • August 30, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
Between the launch of NASA astronauts in test flight for SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft earlier this summer, the addition of Space Force on Netflix, and NASA’s recent announcement of Jeanette Epps to launch aboard Boeing’s new CST-100 Starliner spaceship in 2021, the topic of space law is timely. Considered the body of law governing space-related activities, I reached out to my law school negotiating partner and friend, Elsbeth Magilton, to learn more regarding this area of law. As the current Executive Director for Technology, Security, and Space Law initiatives for the University of Nebraska College of Law, she oversees development,…
Women-Supporting-Women
By Desiree Goff • July 31, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
This is a hashtag currently trending.* Black and white photos are filling social media as women tag female friends to show their support and admiration. From celebrities to influencers, many of the most active social media users are participating. While the original message may have been lost, what is readily apparent is a worldwide support structure and woven web of female friendship, dependent on each others strengths to support one another. Even though this hashtag is currently trending, it is not a new concept. Women have supported other women for millenia. Why else would we have this Ms. JD website?…
Medical Malpractice and Litigation - Being a “Phenom”
By Desiree Goff • June 30, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
We have focused on several different areas of law which intersect with science and technology. However, we haven’t spent any time discussing one of the more patently obvious areas - medical malpractice. This area of law practice relies heavily on litigation and trial work, which women are frequently steered away from. However, studies are showing that the women that do make it into the courtroom routinely outperform their male colleagues. These women are termed “phenoms” for their ability to get past the double glass ceiling. They work harder to get into the field and then fight to get into the…
Major Minority Inventions and Milestones
By Desiree Goff • May 30, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
I have been stunned, saddened and angered by the events this week as I am sure those reading this are. But this isn’t the first time. I question how I can help, what I can write or say or DO to change the systemic issues affecting our society. I am certain that many of our readers experience covert and overt acts of racism frequently. In our careers as lawyers, we often only ACT once the damage is done. Often the prerequisite of a case is the question of “what are the damages” or “what is this case worth?” As attorneys,…
Decoding the Language of Inventorship and Why it Matters
By Desiree Goff • April 30, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence
I was recently asked by a client what classifies one as an inventor. This can be broken down to the technical elements and definitions including conception, reduction to practice, collaboration and contribution to claims. But what struck me about this question is that subjects which seem obvious to us as attorneys are often complete mysteries to our clients. It takes recognition and effort on our part to break down the shroud of legalese that can pervade our profession in order to help them. Any profession has a certain amount of definition-based language, which once understood, helps those not trained in…