Raquel Buckley, JD, PhD

Raquel Buckley is a seasoned intellectual property attorney and technology professional who serves as Senior Patent Counsel and Head of Business Engagement at PayPal. With more than 13 years of legal experience, she specializes in intellectual property strategy, patent prosecution, portfolio management, and business engagement across emerging technologies. In her role, she works closely with engineers, business leaders, executives, and outside counsel to identify innovations requiring IP protection and align patent strategy with broader business objectives.

Before transitioning to law, Raquel built a strong technical foundation in electrical engineering, gaining industry and research experience with organizations including Intel, Motorola, IBM, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. She later earned her JD and developed extensive experience in patent law, technology transactions, litigation support, and IP strategy. Her technical expertise spans wireless communications, software, artificial intelligence, fintech, machine learning, networking, and other emerging technologies. She also holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Caltech.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Raquel is committed to leadership, continuous learning, and community involvement. She completed her PhD while working full-time and raising four children, demonstrating significant perseverance and dedication. Fluent in Spanish, she has also served as a translator in U.S.-Mexico legal matters and has supported small businesses and community organizations through pro bono and volunteer work. Her professional contributions have earned recognition including being a finalist for the Legendary Latina Award and being ranked among the top 10 women in payments nationally.