Koivula & Somersalo, LLC

Partner

Susanne has a science background with a PhD in plant physiology from Turku University in Finland.  In her previous career she worked as a scientist and acting professor of crop physiology at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Many of the research projects she was leading had funding from the industry, and this led her to familiarize herself with Intellectual Property rights. Susanne started her IP-career by working in University of Helsinki Licensing Office where her duties included evaluating and identifying protectable research results of the university scientists. In order to get a formal education in IP-law, Susanne started her law studies at the Franklin Pierce Law Center, in New Hampshire with the prestigious Fulbright grant. She earned her Master’s degree in IP law in 2002. Thereafter, she worked in a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C., specializing in intellectual property.  While working she successfully took the USPTO patent bar exam as well as studied for her Juris Doctor degree. She earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2009 from Concord Law School (now Purdue Global Law School).  Susanne now has over 20 years of experience as a patent professional and has worked as patent attorney in smaller and larger IP law firms. She has successfully drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S.  patent applications in various areas of life sciences, but also in areas of medical devices, mechanics and logistics. Susanne also has a deep knowledge of international patent prosecution.

Susanne is licensed to practice in front of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She is admitted to practice law in the State of California.