Intellectual Property: Student Highlights


J. Martz

Major Jessica Martz, United States

Language: English

Major Jessica G. Martz is originally from Oakland, California. She completed a B.S. in English from the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation, she was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 2003. After serving as an Aviation Supply Officer for five years, she was selected into the Marine Corps’ funded law program and obtained her J.D. from the University of Wyoming. As a Marine Judge Advocate, she was assigned jobs as a victims’ legal counsel, defense counsel, and command legal advisor for multiple commands. She also served as the Staff Judge Advocate for a forward-deployed Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force in Europe and Africa. Major Martz joins the Scalia Law School in the fall 2018 to pursue an LL.M. in Intellectual Property, focusing on cyber security law. She moved to Virginia with her family from North Carolina in 2016. Her husband also serves in the Marine Corps as a judge advocate.


Phillip Davis

Major Phillip B. Davis, United States

Language: English

Major Phillip B. Davis is originally from Bridgeport, West Virginia, where he completed a B.A. in Economics from West Virginia University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 2001. After serving as a Logistics Officer for seven years, he was selected into the Marine Corps’ law program and obtained his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. As a Marine Judge Advocate, he was assigned jobs as a prosecutor and command legal advisor for multiple commands. He also served as the Staff Judge Advocate for a forward-deployed Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force in Europe and Africa. Major Davis joins the Scalia Law School to pursue an LL.M. in Intellectual Property, focusing on cyber security law. He moved to Virginia with his family from Hawaii.


A. France

Ms. Angela France, United States

Language: English

Recognized as one of Virginia’s “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine and a “Rising Star” by Virginia and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Ms. Angela France is highly regarded for her legal counsel to businesses and clients in the Washington Metropolitan area. Ms. France regularly appears in state and federal courts on behalf of business clients in complex commercial disputes, business torts, and employment actions, including the well-known “Rocket Docket” of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. A reputed lecturer and author, Ms. France has also lectured at the National Business Institute and served as a guest lecturer at the George Washington University Law School. Her writing credits include articles in Atlantic Coast In-House and the Society for Human Resource Management. She holds a J.D. from George Mason University and rejoins the Scalia Law School to pursue a LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law.


J. Galotto

Mr. John Galotto, United States

Language: English

Mr. John Galotto joins the Scalia Law School to pursue his LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property. He is a Washington, D.C.-area native and currently lives in Arlington with his wife, 11-year-old twins, and two dogs. Mr. Galotto is a Principal and Associate General Counsel at Deloitte, where he has been for the last 10 years. Before that Mr. Galotto was a partner at a D.C. law firm and a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Galotto graduated from Columbia Law School in 1993 where he was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review, and upon graduation clerked for a federal district court judge in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Galotto spends his free time involved in his kids’ activities—soccer, lacrosse, and competitive dance.


Farzad Panjshiri

Mr. Farzad A. Panjshiri, Afghanistan/Germany

Languages: German, English, Dari/Farsi

Farzad A. Panjshiri is originally from Afghanistan. He grew up in Hamburg, Germany and completed his law degree (first state examination) at the University of Hamburg and the second state examination (the equivalent of the US bar examination) at the Higher Regional Court in Celle, Lower Saxony. Following his studies, he worked for an international IP services company, initially as part of its international searching department and later on in the capacity of the Country Manager, responsible for the North American region, which prompted his relocation to the D.C. Metropolitan Area. He provided advisory services to many national and international clients and enjoyed helping them inter alia with IP searching and watching. Mr. Panjshiri joined Scalia Law School at George Mason University in the Spring of 2018 to pursue an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law with additional credits that will allow him to sit for a bar examination in the United States (IP LLM + Bar Track).


D. Kim

Mr. Dongmyung Kim, South Korea

Languages: Korean, English

Mr. Dongmyug Kim is originally from Seoul, Korea where he has practiced for 16 years as a patent attorney. He obtained his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). After passing the Patent Bar in Korea, Mr. Kim worked for 16 years as a patent attorney at large patent law firms. He filed many patent applications at home as well as abroad for domestic clients and handled many Office Action cases. Mr. Kim joins the Scalia Law School to pursue his LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property. He is interested in understanding American the intellectual property system and ITC cases. His hobbies are playing golf, traveling, and watching movies. He lives in Virginia with his wife and two kids, ages 10 and 13.


Eun Jin Kim

Ms. Eun Jin (“Jinnie”) Kim, South Korea

Languages: Korean, English

Ms. Eun Jin Kim is originally from Seoul, South Korea, where she completed her B.S. in Computer Science from Sookmyung Women’s University. She also completed her master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and her J.D. from University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Minnesota. Previously, she worked with global companies across a variety of industries for diverse clients: she managed IT and business-related projects at a large Korean conglomerate; played a direct role in vendor management, contract negotiation, and people management; and conducted strategic consulting and auditing activities. Ms. Kim joins the Scalia Law School to pursue her LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property. Her hobbies are walking, golfing, and watching movies. She moved to Virginia with her small dog, Soon.


A. Kulkarni

Ms. Aditi Kulkarni, India

Languages: English, French, Marathi, Hindi

Ms. Aditi Kulkarni is originally from Mumbai, India. She completed her undergraduate degree Bachelor of Commerce and thereafter Bachelor of Laws from the University of Mumbai. After completing law school, she worked as Associate Advocate in W. S. Kane & Co., a renowned Intellectual Property (IP) firm in Mumbai for eight years. She worked as a member of IP litigation and prosecution team. Her portfolio included drafting and prosecuting trademark, copyright, design applications, petitions and domain name disputes, IP litigation, handling trademark registration of Indian clients in foreign jurisdictions and of foreign clients in India and drafting opinions & agreements relating to IP rights. She relocated to Virginia after marriage in July 2016 and has been residing here with her husband since then. Ms. Kulkarni joins the Scalia Law School to pursue her LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property Law. Her hobbies are reading, travelling and creative writing.


A. Saxena

Ms. Anantaa Saxena, India

Languages: English, Hindi

Ms. Ananta Saxena is originally from India where she completed her Bachelor of Laws from ILS Law College, Pune. After finishing law school, Ms. Saxena worked for few months as an associate advocate at a mid-sized law firm. She helped in legal research work and assisted in drafting pleadings in consumer cases. Ms. Saxena is joining Scalia Law School to pursue her LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property. Her hobbies are listening to music, playing badminton, and trekking.


M. Veloso

Ms. Mirella Veloso, Brazil

Languages: Portuguese, English, Swedish

Ms. Mirella Santos Veloso is originally from Salvador, Brazil, where she completed her Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Bahia. After Law School, Ms. Santos Veloso worked for almost a year as junior trademark attorney doing administrative litigation with the Brazilian PTO at a law firm based in Sao Paulo. She handled clients from all over Europe, but mostly Italy. She is interested in pursuing her LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property Law and wants to specialize in Trademark Law. Her hobbies include reading, playing the guitar and the piano, dancing, and listening to all kinds of music.


Mr. Robert E. Watson, United States

Language: English

Mr. Robert E. Watson served in the U.S. Air Force for 25 years, 20 of which he served as a Judge Advocate (JAG). He deployed as a member of a Multinational Task Force to Iraq and in support of NATO to Bosnia, and has filed several appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the JAG Corps, Mr. Watson served as Deputy District Attorney and later as District Attorney for Colorado. In 2013, he relocated to Virginia to join the Department of Defense (DoD), Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) program at the Pentagon, where he serves as the Associate Director managing the enforcement arm of the DoD component of the multi-agency CFIUS program. He frequently briefs congressional committees on CFIUS activities. Mr. Watson joins the Scalia Law School to pursue a LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law with a focus on cyber security law.


Captain Salahudin Ali

Captain Salahudin E. Ali, United States

Language: English

Captain Salah Ali is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his B.S. from Portland State University, and his J.D. at Lewis & Clark Law School, both located in Portland, Oregon. Salah Ali is currently serving as a United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate (JAG). He has practiced in the areas of criminal law, government ethics, information access (FOIA and Privacy Act), family law, consumer law, military administrative law, and general estate planning. Salah Ali joins the Scalia Law School to pursue an LL.M. in Intellectual Property, focusing on cyber security and surveillance law. His hobbies include reading philosophy and literature, and weight lifting.


Nicholas Churchill

Mr. Nicholas Matthew Churchill, United States

Language: English

Mr. Nicholas Matthew Churchill is from Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he earned a J.D. at the University of Arkansas School of Law. After law school, Mr. Churchill worked in general-practice law firms and corporate legal departments in northwest Arkansas. He is joining the Scalia School to pursue an LL.M. in Intellectual Property. Nick’s hobbies include reading, cooking, and hiking.


Captain Mikail Ali

Captain Mika’il Ali, United States

Language: English

Captain Mika’il Ali is a Judge Advocate (Attorney) in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). He obtained his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2011 and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 2012. During his time as an attorney, he has been afforded the opportunity to gain diverse professional experience through a variety of positions. He has served as a circuit court clerk, state prosecutor, military prosecutor, a legal assistance attorney and deputy counsel for various military commands. He is joining Scalia Law School at George Mason University in fall 2016 to pursue his LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law with a focus on technology and cyber security law. Captain Ali enjoys world travel, reading, sports, and fitness.


T. Goto

Mr. Taisuke Goto, Japan

Languages: Japanese and English

Mr. Taisuke Goto was born in Kagawa, Japan. He completed his Bachelor and Master degree in Engineering at Osaka University, in Osaka, Japan, where he lived for several years. After graduating from his Masters in Engineering, he worked for seven years as a Patent Examiner at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) in Tokyo, Japan. He has been in charge of mechanical technologies, such as turbines, jet engines, compressors and wind power generators. He was also involved in a discussion and multilateral negotiations on patent law harmonization for one year. He is joining Scalia Law School at George Mason University in fall 2016 to pursue his LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property, specializing in Patent Law. His hobbies are playing baseball and running. He moved to Virginia with his wife and a son, age 1.


K. Yamashita

Mr. Kyohei Yamashita, Japan

Languages: Japanese and English

Mr. Kyohei Yamashita is originally from Japan where he completed his Bachelor and Master degrees in Engineering at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. After graduation he has been working for Toyota Motor Corporation at Toyota city of Aichi Prefecture in Japan. He has been in the United States since April 2015 working as a trainee for patent prosecution and litigation at Sughrue Mion PLLC for Toyota. He seeks in-depth knowledge of U.S. law theory and methodology through his LL.M. courses in intellectual property law. His hobbies are traveling and playing golf. He lives in Arlington near Virginia Square with his wife and two kids, ages 4 and 2.


W. Agyenim-Boateng

Mr. William Agyenim-Boateng, Ghana

Languages: Twi and English

Mr. William Agyenim-Boateng is originally from Ghana, where he successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religions, and obtained his law degree from the Ghana School of Law located in Accra, Ghana. Mr. Agyenim-Boateng is a member of the Ghana Bar Association qualified in Ghana as both a Solicitor and a Barrister. He has practiced law in Ghana for eight years, representing clients in civil, criminal, and corporate matters. He also served as a Editorial Law Assistant to the Reporter of Decisions for the Supreme Court of Ghana Law Report Editions. After moving to Virginia he decided to pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property Law at Scalia Law School, George Mason University. Mr. Agyenim-Boateng lives with his wife and four children, one of whom wants to follow her father’s footsteps and go to law school.


A. Lelisa Sime

Mr. Adugna Lelisa Sime, Ethiopia

Languages: Amharic, Oromiffa, and English

Mr. Adugna Lelisa Sime is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he completed his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Mekelle University School of Law. After law school Mr. Sime worked for two years as Trademark and Industrial Design Examiner at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office. Later he joined a large national law firm in Ethiopia providing a broad variety of legal services, including advising clients on company incorporation, intellectual property and commercial law matters. Mr. Sime advised many foreign clients and enjoyed helping them with cross border transactions. He is joining George Mason this fall 2016 to pursue his LL.M. studies in Intellectual Property Law. He is interested in specializing in trademark and copyright law. His hobbies are reading poems, listening to music and playing soccer.


R. Rathan Kumar

Ms. Ramya Rathan Kumar, India

Languages: Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English

Ms. Ramya Rathan Kumar is from Bangalore, India where she completed her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Bangalore University. She obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Banking & Finance Law from University of London. She worked in a leading investment bank as a Financial Derivatives Lawyer for over three years. She became interested in intellectual property law when she helped her cousin file a patent application in India and decided to explore this field further, so she decided to pursue a LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law at GMU. Ms. Kumar enjoys playing badminton and listening to classical music. She moved to Virginia to pursue her LL.M. studies in July of 2016 where she lives with her husband.