Harrity & Harrity is proud to celebrate two significant achievements for Jessica Schulze, Ph.D., J.D.: passing the Utah Bar Exam and being named a Women Tech Awards Career Transformation Honoree by the Women Tech Council.
Both milestones reflect a career shaped by a robust technical background, continued learning, and a deliberate transition from scientific research to intellectual property law.
Jessica earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry with a Doctoral Minor in Computational Material Science from Penn State University. During her doctoral research, she collaborated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, Penn State, and Idaho National Laboratory, modeling how chemical systems interact with salt solutions. Her broader research experience included developing and applying computational methods in quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics to a variety of complex scientific problems.
Before transitioning into patent law, Jessica also spent more than a decade running her own scientific consulting firm. Together, these experiences provided a strong technical foundation for a career focused on protecting innovation.
Today, Jessica brings that background to her patent practice at Harrity & Harrity, working with innovations across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced materials, software, medical devices, and other complex technologies. Having conducted technical research herself, she brings firsthand experience with the challenges of understanding complex technologies and communicating them clearly.
Passing the Utah Bar Exam marks the completion of another important chapter in Jessica’s transition from scientist to legal professional.
“I am so relieved to finally finish my last educational milestone and continue advancing my career at a company that I genuinely enjoy,” Jessica said.
Jessica’s career transformation extends beyond her own professional development. She regularly mentors scientists exploring STEM careers and opportunities in patent law, helping others consider how their technical backgrounds can lead to new professional paths.
That commitment, along with her own transition from scientific research into intellectual property, is being recognized by the Women Tech Council, which named Jessica a Women Tech Awards Career Transformation Honoree.
“I am honored to be recognized by an organization that supports women in STEM and highlights so many amazing women as examples and role models of what a career in STEM can look like,” Jessica said.
The recognition is particularly meaningful given Jessica’s own path. Her career demonstrates how a strong foundation in science and technology can translate into opportunities beyond traditional research—and how technical expertise can continue to play an important role in a new field.
Join us in congratulating Jessica on passing the Utah Bar Exam and her recognition by the Women Tech Council. We are proud to have her as part of our team and look forward to her continued contributions to our clients and the broader intellectual property community.
Learn more about Jessica and the rest of our practice group at www.harrityllp.com/team.