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and use their degree,” he said. “They are really nice kids with good intentions, and they are very smart.”
With technology developing at an explosive pace in today’s society, it is imperative that IP lawyers have strong knowledge about science and technology and how to monetize investments that are successful.
Will Frey, a junior physics and mathematics major from Fairfax, Va., has
taken both of the program’s two course offerings so far. (In addition to “You can’t be a patent attorney unless you have a science background,” Muller
Muller, Michele Mayberry, a partner with the firm Latimer, Mayberry, and said. “In fact, without this background, you would miss crucial facts in every
Matthews, teaches an introduction to IP law class, which is offered each fall.) case . You must have the ability to assimilate the law with a scientific mind.”
“The instruction is outstanding, and I’m really excited about the new class
to be offered in the spring,” he said. Frey became interested in the program
because he was looking for new and different ways to put his science
degree into practice. “I didn’t really want to pursue a career as a researcher
or teacher after graduation,” he said. “A law degree would allow me to
practice patent law, interact with people, and perhaps work for the federal
government at some point.”
Muller and his wife Shari live in Houston, where they enjoy the theater and
the symphony. Muller swims up to two miles every morning for relaxation.
He attends functions sponsored by the Houston-area Virginia Tech alumni
group and serves on the alumni roundtable advisory group for the College
of Science.
Muller encourages his students at Virginia Tech to consider how they might
make a difference with a degree in IP law while developing a good career
for themselves.
“I open up possibilities in the field of IP law to students and let them determine if it is a career they might wish to pursue,” Muller said. “I want them to
“I believe we have a much better society when inventions are protected and
see there are opportunities available that they might be unaware of at this
rewarded,” he said. “Patent protection offers fertile ground for even more
stage of their studies. I don’t consider myself a true college professor; I’m
inventions, and more inventions create more opportunities and ultimately
simply presenting opportunities, knowledge, and experience.”
more jobs. Your mind is the only thing that limits you in this profession. If
Muller entered Virginia Tech in 1964 as a chemistry major. He switched to you have an expansive and inquisitive mind, this field is right for you.”
general sciences in order to get a more rounded and diverse science education and pursued a minor in history. Graduating in 1969, he took his first job
at Universal Oil Products in Des Plaines, Ill., working in the company’s mass
spectrometer laboratory. He also started taking classes at John Marshall
Law School to earn his law degree, specializing in patent law.
In 1974 Muller graduated from law school, passed the Illinois bar, and transferred to his company’s Washington, D.C., office as a patent and trademark
attorney. After earning a master’s of law degree (LLM) at George Washington University, he went to work for Shell in 1985 and has been there ever
since. Muller has continually advanced his career within the oil giant and
now oversees more than a dozen staff lawyers at Shell’s Houston headquarters.
“It’s been a good career; Shell is a wonderful company to work for,” he said.
“I feel like I am adding something to society by capturing and rewarding
creative minds for their inventions and authorships. That is what I get out of
this profession personally, but teaching students to appreciate the basics of
IP law has also been very fulfilling.”
It is imperative that IP lawyers
have strong knowledge about
science and technology.