Roberta Young
Roberta Young is a distinguished patent attorney and technology strategist with a career spanning decades at the intersection of engineering, law, and business. Beginning her career as an engineer and inventor—holding her own U.S. patent—Roberta transitioned into intellectual property law, leveraging her deep technical expertise as a program manager and director, to support high-technology companies, top universities, and startups in protecting and monetizing their innovations. Her practice encompasses cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, quantum encryption, semiconductors, 5G/6G wireless technologies, and space applications, where she has helped build patent portfolios exceeding 1,000 assets and supported licensing revenues surpassing $165 million annually.
Throughout her career, Roberta has emphasized a philosophy of intellectual curiosity, systematic analysis, and servant leadership, guiding clients in patent preparation, prosecution, enforcement, and IP portfolio management. She has served in senior counsel roles at major technology companies and law firms, including Marvell Semiconductor, Qualcomm,, and Seyfarth Shaw LLP, before becoming a partner at Jaquez, Land, Greenhaus & McFarland. Her technical background allows her to understand complex technologies and translate them into effective, business-focused patent strategies that drive innovation and revenue growth.
Beyond her legal and technical work, Roberta is a recognized thought leader in intellectual property, publishing insights on emerging trends through her newsletter, "The Bleeding Edge". She actively engages with the technology community to advocate for the protection and monetization of innovative breakthroughs, combining her expertise in engineering, law, and business to ensure clients stay at the forefront of technological advancement. Fluent in French and Russian, she brings a global perspective to her practice, supporting clients worldwide in navigating the complexities of patent law and IP strategy.
• California Bar
• Utah Bar
• United States Patent & Trademark Office
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- J.D.
• University of Utah, Honors BA
• University of Utah, BS Engineering
• Gressman- Pollitt Award for Appellate Advocacy
• US Patent No. 4,963,425
• Editor North Carolina Journal of International Law
• Moot Court National Team, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• US Figure Skating Judge
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of deep technical expertise across semiconductors, wireless communications, quantum computing, and AI, along with a commitment to precision and strategic thinking in patent law, which has allowed me to successfully navigate complex cases and advance groundbreaking innovations.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always stay curious! Keep learning new topics and ideas.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Study business and marketing as well as law and technology. The best patent attorneys understand the businesses of their clients as well as their technologies. Marketing is necessary to showcase your expertise and also to guide clients in publicizing their technological advances.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Clients have sophisticated technology that needs to be understood and explained, ultimately, to a jury that may not have much scientific background. Explaining sophisticated concepts in a manner that fosters understanding, and doing it with a limited budget, is only possible with a deep technical background.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are discipline, curiosity, and excellence—whether in my work advancing cutting-edge technology and patent law, or in my personal pursuits as a figure skater, classical pianist, and Whippet breeder, where precision and dedication are equally essential.