During her undergraduate studies in surface coating and polymer technology, Rachana conducted hands-on research at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, India, which led to a publication in the Journal on Future Engineering and Technology, as well as employment in-house at 3M India Limited. After being awarded her first undergraduate degree, Rachana immediately pursued a second degree, in intellectual property law, which she completed with honors.

Rachana’s legal training in India included internships in the chamber of Adv. K.P. Kanugo (Nagpur District Court); the law firm of K&S Partners; and in-house at TVS Motors Hosur, Tamil Nadu. She then worked as a patent agent at K&S Partners for three years, handling a variety of inventions in fields including polymer science; textiles; nanotechnology; specialty chemicals; packaging; material science; metallurgy; catalysis; oil, gas and petroleum; organic chemistry; inorganic chemistry; biochemistry; food technology; agricultural products; and medical diagnostics.

“My combination of technical and legal backgrounds creates a very niche area of expertise for me, as well as giving me a solid foundation for work in many different areas of chemistry. I have also quickly adapted to U.S. patent practice since many of the legal concepts are quite similar to Indian patent law. I believe the perspective I bring from my background of Indian patent law gives me a deep appreciation of the value of diversity in the workplace.”

In addition to her experience in patent procurement, Rachana also has experience in assisting with freedom to operate searches and analyses, as well as supporting IP due diligence activities.

Rachana finds great reward in her work with the cutting-edge innovators of BF&F’s clients, particularly through collaboration to provide the best work product possible. 

“I find it inspiring to work with innovative minds who enable me to take a glimpse of the future through their inventions, and rewarding to help them understand how these inventions can become patent rights. While working as a patent attorney in India, my clientele included inventors who were not very well versed with patent law. I would have detailed discussions with them about their inventions, explain the basics of patent law, and come to understand their business needs—which not only resulted in the best work product for them, it also helped develop strong relations with them. It was a benefit to me, as well as to the client.”