Return to Sender: Why IP Counsel Go Back to Their Old Firms

Having a lawyer leave can be quite disappointing for firms, however, it can be quite rewarding when they decide to come back.

Newly returned Finnegan partner Nishla Keiser told Managing Intellectual Property that she left the firm for the chance to work on CRISPR gene editing medicines at Intellia Therapeutics and be mentored by Intellia's general counsel at the time, whom she describes as “one of the best in-house lawyers I ever encountered”.

“I also wanted to get a more comprehensive perspective of how IP fits into the biotech business and be able to participate more directly in business decisions,” she said.

After learning that Finnegan was exploring “IP-adjacent” work areas, Nishla said, “This seemed like a great opportunity to return and help the firm build those aspects of the practice.”

Speaking on her in-house experience, she realized how in-house counsel have to establish relationships with different departments and tailor their legal advice depending on which part of the business they’re talking to.

“The way you present the information can be very different even if the underlying analysis is very similar,” Nishla said.

She adds that her in-house experience helped her establish relationships with people across different business functions and understand their pain points.

“Having those relationships now across two companies and having people I worked with closely who are now chief finance officers or chief business officers at other companies, gives me a broader reach.”

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