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Science background pays off for Jelenchick in the courtroom

Science background pays off for Jelenchick in the courtroom

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Kadie Jelenchick (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)
Kadie Jelenchick (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

Kadie Jelenchick always found herself intrigued by science and engineering.

While an undergrad at the University of Rochester, she majored in biomedical engineering, but became interested in the legal side of things during her senior project.

“As much as I love science and engineering, I was intrigued by the nexus between those areas and the law,” said Jelenchick, a partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee.

She now uses her combined knowledge of science and the laws in a variety of patent, trademark, anti-counterfeiting, copyright and intellectual property cases.

“My science background is helpful, but every case is so different,” Jelenchick said. “I feel like I become a mini expert on all of my cases. You have to be the one to take in all the information and then be able to explain the client’s story to the judge and jury. You have to really winnow down a bunch of information to what’s important.”

Jelenchick said her cases span multiple industries from health care and software to consumer products and telecommunications. In every case, she tries to find out as much information as she can from experts and does extensive research to determine the keys of the case and how to best get those points across in court.

One of the challenges in IP law is making sure jurors understand the science and technology involved, Jelenchick said.

“You really need to take that information that’s important and break it down into bite-size pieces so everyone involved can understand,” she said.

Intellectual property cases are notorious for their length as they move slowly through the legal system. Jelenchick worked on one case for four years before it went to trial, uncovering information, talking to witnesses and forming her arguments. By the time the trial and appeal process was complete, she had spent six years working on the case.

“That’s a long time to spend with any case,” she said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your favorite class in law school?
Kadie Jelenchick: Federal Civil Procedure.

WLJ: What career would you have pursued if you hadn’t become an attorney?
Jelenchick: It’s a toss-up – research scientist or stationary store owner.

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Jelenchick: The Muppets

WLJ: Who is someone you admire?
Jelenchick: My grandmother, Gloria. She was a smart, hardworking, respected and successful woman in a leadership role in corporate America at a time when traditionally women didn’t have such positions.

WLJ: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Jelenchick: My Cabbage Patch Kid.

WLJ: What was the last book that you read?
Jelenchick: ‘The Girl on the Train’ by Paula Hawkins

WLJ: What sport do you enjoy watching or playing?
Jelenchick: To watch — college basketball and the Indiana Hoosiers; to play, golf.

WLJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?
Jelenchick: Go up north with my husband, Steve, and my three dogs, Ollie, Otis and Ralphie.

WLJ: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Jelenchick: Amalfi via the slow boat.

WLJ: If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Jelenchick: To time travel.

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