Olivia Alford
Patent Agent
Olivia is a second year law student at the University of Notre Dame Law School. Before attending law school, Olivia graduated from Centre College in Danville, Ky where she majored in computer science with a minor in mathematics. In addition to her academic endeavors, Olivia captained the women’s soccer team and was a member of the women’s basketball program at Centre.
After graduation, Olivia spent five years at GE Appliances, a Haier Company as part of the Edison Engineering Program learning the complexities of embedded software as well as the leadership skills of project management. While in the Edison Program, Olivia completed her Masters in Electrical Engineering through the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
In her time at Notre Dame, Olivia has become involved in the LGBT Law Forum where she is now treasurer. She has a passion for bettering the legal obstacles which face the queer community. In addition to her work with the LGBT Law Forum, Olivia is the secretary of the Intellectual Property Law Society where she actively works to increase awareness of and interest in patent law and IP law in general.
At Notre Dame, Olivia is also part of the Journal of Emerging Technologies where she has explored the intersections of administrative policy and standard essential patents. This experience has given her a broad understanding of patent law enforcement and allowed her to see the larger picture in a field with many minute details. Additionally, she is a brief writer on the IP moot court team where she is honing her research and writing skills in a variety of IP cases from all three disciplines of IP.
In the summer following her 1L, Olivia worked as a law clerk supporting patent prosecution on various matters. This experience gave her invaluable first-hand experience following her first year of law school. Olivia drafted claims, prepared office action responses and reviewed patent applications. Her works continues to build these skills.
When not working or studying, Olivia is most often found outside. That may look like cheering the Irish on to victory, wandering through the woods with her wife and their yellow lab, skiing, kayaking, or just about anything else which can be done in the sunshine and fresh air.