We are pleased to spotlight Colin Buss this month! Colin is a Patent Agent in the Biotechnology Practice and works in our New York office.
How long have you been at Wolf Greenfield?
Four and a half years as of the beginning of June.
How has being authentic helped you in your career?
I have found that developing personal connections with coworkers, contacts, clients, etc., often helps with various aspects of my career, and being authentically myself is important to building and maintaining those connections. Some of my strongest relationships from previous jobs, graduate school, and here at Wolf began with good professional interactions but have been deepened by personal discussions and shared experiences.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
The people (both Wolfies and client contacts) and the exciting technologies that we get to think about. I love being able to think and talk about cutting-edge science, and to interact with the people who make it happen and who help to protect it.
What has been your favorite project/assignment at Wolf Greenfield?
I have loved working on a lot of projects over the years. Some of the most rewarding work I have been able to do recently has involved therapeutics one of our clients is moving into patients for treatment of a couple of genetic disorders that are otherwise often completely untreatable. Working on protecting the IP behind those therapeutics is fascinating and exciting, and helping the company through related challenges like strategy around competitors has been an amazing learning experience.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I grew up in a military family (my mother was in the Navy) and as a result moved many times throughout my childhood, including overseas.
Why is diversity and inclusion in the workplace important to you?
At a high level, I think we all benefit from interacting with people coming from different backgrounds and with different mindsets. It helps us all grow and learn, and ultimately benefits everyone. On a more personal level, I’ve had to deal with a few homophobic situations in previous workplaces; having a more diverse and inclusive workplace can help make sure everyone feels comfortable and welcome on our team, which I think is key to a successful operation.