MSU Law student will return to Brinks Gilson & Lione in Ann Arbor as a summer associate

 ANN ARBOR – Brinks Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., announces Li Gao, Ph.D., a student at Michigan State University College of Law, has returned to the firm’s Ann Arbor office as a summer associate. She previously served as a summer associate with the firm last year.

In this position, Gao assists with researching various patent issues, conducting prior art and patentability searches and drafting letters regarding patent office actions.

 Prior to attending law school, Gao worked at AFID Therapeutics Inc. in Lansing, where she was director of research and development, responsible for the development and commercialization of new chemicals.

She began her career at AFID Therapeutics as a research scientist and also served as discovery chemistry group leader. Gao has published articles in a variety of scholarly journals, including the Journal of Organic Chemistry.  She is admitted to the United State Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and has three patents in the chemical field.

 Gao holds a Ph.D. in chemistry with a 4.0 GPA from Michigan State University, where she served as a research and teaching assistant, and a Master of Science degree and Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, both from Nankai University, China. 

The recipient of jurisprudence awards in research, writing and analysis, advocacy and torts at MSU?Law, her expected graduation is next May.