Laura Cruz brings her strong background in chemical engineering to the practice of patent procurement and prosecution with an emphasis on chemical and mechanical technologies. She also counsels clients on general intellectual property matters including agreements, trademarks, licensing, due diligence, opinions regarding infringement and patentability, and enforcement of IP rights. Laura works with clients across a wide array of industries, including consumer care products and related software, food and beverage, food processing, automotive, aerospace, alternative energy, health care, medical devices and related software, semiconductor fabrication, universities, communications, and marine.
Her technical experience includes nearly eight years with Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas, where she progressed through various chemical engineer positions, with a particular focus on capital improvement projects and upgrades for production facilities. She has technical experience in the areas of polymers, plastics, consumer goods, food compositions, food processing, aerospace, prosthetics, robotics, instruments, cellulose fibers, rotating equipment, semiconductor fabrication, and battery systems.
Laura has presented at the Center for Advanced Study and Research on Innovation Policy's Patent and Intellectual Property Law Summer Institute. She also conducts in-house client presentations on patent-related topics.
Education
- J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 1999
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, 1986
Bar & Court Admissions
- Bar Admissions: Texas (inactive), Washington
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Experience
- Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
Seattle, WA, 1999 – present
Technical Experience
- Process Control Specialist
Dow Chemical Company, 1995 – 1996 - Senior Production Engineer
Dow Chemical Company, 1993 – 1994 - Production Engineer
Dow Chemical Company, 1991 – 1992 - Engineer
Dow Chemical Company, 1989 – 1990
Professional Affiliations
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Patent Law Association