Spotlight: Marguerite Smith – Building Bridges in Patent Practice and STEM Outreach

When we talk about the future of intellectual property, we often imagine seasoned attorneys guiding the next generation. But Marguerite Smith is redefining what it means to enter the profession—bringing her engineering background, community leadership, and a passion for mentorship to the world of patents, all without a law degree.

Marguerite’s journey began with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), where she spent years of college deeply involved, serving as president and treasurer of her collegiate section. Her commitment to outreach was evident in her work with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, organizing badge labs that introduced hundreds of young girls to engineering through hands-on activities in paper engineering, circuits, biomedical science, and coding robots. “I love doing community outreach through STEM,” Marguerite recalls. “You’re adding engineering to the local community and inspiring the next generation.”

After graduation, Marguerite discovered a path to stay engaged with SWE as a professional. Today, she serves on the national leadership team as Chair-Elect for Member Engagement, working closely with SWE’s board of directors to advance opportunities for women in engineering. Her focus is on bridging the gap between collegiate and professional members, launching initiatives like the First-Time Attendees event at SWE’s annual conference and quarterly “Gear Up” virtual activities to maximize membership benefits. “My job is to look at all 50,000 SWE members and ask, ‘How do we get them more engaged?’” Marguerite explains.

Marguerite’s professional journey took a unique turn when she entered the patent field as an agent—without a law degree. Her involvement with ADAPT.legal began serendipitously, through a LinkedIn post about their mentorship program. “I wasn’t a student anymore, but I was early in my career and hadn’t even passed the patent bar yet,” she says. ADAPT welcomed her, and she quickly became a mentee in both the student and professional mentorship programs. “It’s not just a one-time mentorship meeting. It became almost like a sponsorship, with mentors checking in regularly and opening doors to new opportunities.” 

Marguerite’s advocacy doesn’t stop at SWE and ADAPT. She serves on the STEM advisory board for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, continuing her commitment to outreach, albeit now at a higher level and mostly remotely. She’s also spoken at SWE’s annual conference, sharing the stage with experienced patent attorneys and encouraging engineers to consider careers in intellectual property. “There’s always been a small corner of SWE that does IP, but there are so few of us. That gives us a bigger platform to talk about it.”

Her advice to engineers considering legal careers? “There’s no one right answer. Your interest is enough.ADAPT offers resources and information to let you explore and learn more without having to jump in headfirst.” Marguerite is passionate about making the profession accessible, simplifying the path for others, and building networks that support early-career professionals. She published a blog post for SWE, discussing “Why Engineers Make Great Lawyers."

Looking ahead, Marguerite is preparing for law school and eager to see her first patent applications publish. She’s excited about every “first”—from new types of work to new inventors—and remains committed to learning and growing as a patent agent. “I want to be a better patent agent, interact with more inventors, and have more autonomy. I love learning all the different parts of this job.”

Marguerite’s story is a testament to the power of cross-collaboration—between organizations like SWE, ADAPT, and the Girl Scouts—and the impact of mentorship and outreach. Her journey shows that you don’t need a law degree to make a difference in the patent world; you just need curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to build bridges.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Marguerite’s story is proof that you don’t need a law degree or a traditional background to make an impact in the patent profession. Check out ADAPT.legal’s career guide to explore different careers in the patent world. If you’re an early-career professional, engineer, or simply curious about intellectual property, consider joining the ADAPT.legal Student Mentorship Program, or the ADAPT.legal Professional Mentorship Program. You’ll gain access to a supportive network, experienced mentors, and resources to help you explore and grow in the field—whether you’re ready to dive in or just want to learn more.

Sign up today and start building your own bridge into the world of IP!

Shirley Fung

ADAPT Communications Team