LEE PHAM

EDUCATION

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, NY

Juris Doctor with a Concentration in Intellectual Property, June 2010

Honors: Summer 2009 International Corporate & Intellectual Property Fellowship

Activities: Intensive Trial Advocacy Program; Int'l Trade Committee at the New York City Bar Association

Study Abroad: Introduction to Law in India; Comparative Corporate Governance at Oxford University

Thesis: Seeing Human Rights in 3(d): Modeling India's Controversial Patent Law to Improve Access to Medicines in Vietnam

Drexel University, College of Engineering, Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, June 2006

Honors: Sunoco-AMP Pathfinder Award for Undergraduate Leadership

Thesis: Biodiesel Production by Base Catalyzed Transesterification of Soybean Oil

EXPERIENCE

American Express, New York, NY

Legal Intern, Intellectual Property Strategy Group, June 2008 – Present

Analyze patents and patent applications in the areas of business methods, risk management, fraud prevention and payment systems. Liaise with corporate comptrollership, attorneys and finance professionals in the oversight of licensing and equity deals worth over $50 million. Develop strategies to leverage intangible assets and solidify the company’s standing in the technology transfer marketplace. Advise developers and inventors about the patentability of internally developed, technology-based business solutions. Also advise business units on the rights, limitations and obligations imposed by technology licensing agreements. Monitor judicial developments in patent law and present findings in written memoranda. Assist in cataloguing IP assets according to business unit ownership and technology class.

Pham & Associates, Hanoi, Vietnam

Summer Associate and International Legal Practice Intern, June 2009 – August 2009
Competitively selected and recommended to the firm by the Center for International Legal Studies. Drafted trade publication articles explaining recent amendments to Vietnam’s intellectual property law. Researched the development of patent laws in industrially developed jurisdictions and presented findings to attorneys and experts. Assisted Vietnamese-English translation of contract terms, technical specifications and correspondence with foreign attorneys. Reviewed foreign clients’ contracts and incorporation documents under attorney supervision for their compliance with Vietnamese law.
 

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA                                   

Assistant to the General Counsel, June 2006 – May 2007

Drafted and reviewed cease and desist letters, exhibit licensing agreements and correspondence to outside counsel. Served as liaison to lobbyists, legislative offices and Trustees, supporting the General Counsel’s dual role as in-house attorney and Vice President of Development. Also drafted individual solicitations and quarterly revenue reports. Supported consultants in their preparation of a long-range capital campaign.

The National Society of Black Engineers, Philadelphia, PA

Treasurer, National Executive Board (delegation elected), May 2004 – April 2005

Supervised $8 million budget, world headquarters operations and convention planning for over 10,000 attendees. Worked with consultants and attorneys to purchase and refinance real property, review answers to requests for proposals, draft policy documents and expand the Society internationally. Participated in negotiations for investment agreements, directors’ employment contracts and preliminary terms for international expansion.