This Girl Has No Limits

"A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none." – Marilyn Monroe. Nikki Mastrangelo is an intellectual property attorney working in-house at a biotech company in Cambridge and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law, and a Juris Doctor in Intellectual Property (IP). Nikki took an unconventional route, aspiring to be a doctor from a young age. Since she was 13, Nikki has always been in and out of hospitals and has a team of 13 medical professionals assisting her with medical struggles. All undergraduate efforts were geared toward the sciences. Nikki had her first laboratory internship at Tufts University at 17. She has spent roughly a decade studying neurodegenerative diseases in both academic and industry settings and has researched one-time therapeutics to cure ALS utilizing gene editing technologies. While completing her master's degree, her mentor (and now boss!) urged Nikki to attend law school. As an attorney, Nikki protects scientific inventions by leveraging the patent system built to encourage innovation and disclosures by obtaining a limited monopoly on drug products. She started teaching at Northeastern University School of Law, as she found teaching therapeutic, allowing her to teach scientists within her field. In the workplace, scientists trust Nikki to protect their innovations, explain patent law's intricacies, and how specific actions could forfeit their rights.

Nikki is a legal advisor within the A Girl You Might Know Foundation. One of her responsibilities is to create a series of masterclasses so that young creatives have the legal knowledge surrounding intellectual property and contractual rights. She finds relevant content to inform creatives of the never-ending changes in legislation and the court systems. She hopes to mentor interns as well as push our mission forward by articulating her legal knowledge to create powerful tools while negotiating for yourself and your brand. 

Through a personal interview, we learned more about Nikki and got to the heart of who she is and represents as a changemaker and disability advocate within her field. 

Why did you decide to pursue a career in Law?

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would become a lawyer. My love for neuroscience and the complexities behind the brain's functionalities piqued my curiosity. There were two reasons why I sought my master's in legal studies: (1) my health and (2) a briskness strategy to get promoted at work. I have struggled with health issues since I was diagnosed at age 13. After three failed surgeries, my doctors advised that I needed part of my stomach removed, and the team would perform a partial gastric bypass with any healthy tissue. My employer was less than pleased with my 6–8-week absence and would make discriminatory comments that she would not have hired me had she known of my illnesses (though I always check the disability box when applying for jobs!). The paperwork was time-consuming during my recovery, and I did not know the benefits or my rights. My disability lasted seven months, with additional surgery, two biopsies, and numerous hospitalizations.

During that time, I also knew that I was going back to my position. The company shifted, and promotions were no longer based on just performance - they operated on a business strategy that put emphasis on why you deserved the promotion. My fellow peers were getting MBAs, but that never curbed my interest. I searched other programs and found that Northeastern University School of Law had a master's program where I could learn the legalities behind animal research. However, I could also take healthcare courses to learn about disability law. I wanted to become my own advocate. During my second class, my professor (and now mentor and boss!) urged me to go to law school. At this point, I was still determining what intellectual property was and how I could merge my scientific career with a legal career. He advised me on the necessary steps to obtain law school admissions and led me to my current path. I graduated in July of 2018 and started law school in September. 

What is one of the most important lessons you have learned in your life?     

Never let anyone's opinion hold you back or pave your path. Between the time I was accepted into law school and graduation, I faced numerous struggles, but one thing that kept me going was proving I was capable. I successfully passed my first year of medical school but preferred scientific research over becoming a doctor. People thought I would be a lifetime student and questioned my plan of quitting my job and starting on a new path. Once my semester started, I faced more criticism as my advisor did not think I would make it as an IP attorney. The one degree I did not have was a Ph.D., which big law firms required. I articulated that I had a decade of experience working in two different laboratories, but while I internalized everyone's comments, I continued with my plan and journey. I worked part-time at a firm and went to school full-time. There were days I would leave the house at 7 a.m. and return at 11 p.m., as most of my classes were at night.

In March 2020, I was on spring break when we received an e-mail that the remainder of the semester would be online. When the world shut down, I returned ready to start my new position in-house at a biotech company. Everything turned remote, and I took the opportunity and ran with that. I worked full-time and went to school full-time. Without a commute and having the ability to switch from my personal to work on a computer whenever I had the chance, I excelled. I graduated with distinction within my IP concentration, passed the bar on my first try, started teaching Law, and was awarded the Attorney Intel accolade and recognized as one of the top twenty-five attorneys in Massachusetts in 2022 (my first year outside of law school). I learned that you need to have faith in yourself and drown out the static. People do not always see things as clearly as you do, and I owed it to myself to try. If I failed, at least I had no regrets. I am so glad I did not listen to family, friends, and my advisor because I truly love what I do and am still in awe of my own journey.

What are you most proud of?

My career, not just because I love what I do but also as I can use my knowledge to help empower others. I also do not take it for granted that I was privileged that I was able to become a lawyer. Not everyone, including my parents, had those opportunities. My parents were both born and raised in small towns in Greece. My dad came here for the American dream, hoping to attend college. Upon arrival, the financial strain on his family was too great, so he forfeited his college education and worked in a factory with my grandfather. My mom met my dad at a church picnic while visiting her cousin in America. They married shortly after that and became a teller at a bank. They hoped for a better life for their three girls, purchased a pizza shop, and worked day and night to provide for us. They supported me throughout my journey; I would never be where I am today without them. 

How does diversity affect your work life?

Diversity has a significant impact on my daily life. Older men heavily dominate the IP field, and I am the lone she-wolf on my IP team. It is harder to make the connections as fellow IP attorneys have, as we are in different stages in life, and being a woman, I have vastly different interests. At a legal conference, I spoke on how diversifying your team brings a different level of protection. I have a different relationship with my scientists, especially the women. They do not only come to me for legal advice but for career development leading to deeper connections and friendships. 

How has the adversity you faced shaped who you are today?

Between my health issues and being in a career predominately of older men, I have learned to be strong and resilient. I use my voice to do what is right in my job, protecting my scientists' inventions, but also I am very empathetic and strong to those who need my help. I mentor my fellow colleagues on career development and teach them the intricacies of the ever-changing laws. I am most empowered by my female colleagues and how we lean on each other as we navigate in a man's world. 

Every year in June, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I speak or have a disability attorney speak on their protections. I have talked about my own struggles and how I overcame them. This year, we plan to teach the protections that my company has placed to ensure that their health is their main priority and work will always be there.

Now for some rapid-fire questions with Nikki:

What was your first language?

Greek

Do you have any pets?

Two Siberian Huskies. I live in New Hampshire, where I can hike with my dogs daily. 

Where is your favorite travel destination?

Greece to see my grandmother. 

What is your typical style?

I love all things sparkly and glittery and refuse to change my style to fit a "typical attorney." I am also a shoe enthusiast, as my grandfather made me my very first pair of 1-inch heels when I was in kindergarten. 

 What are you currently binge-watching?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel & Yellowjackets

 How do you know CHEVAL?

I was one of her brides. 

Nikki, thank you for opening up and sharing your story. We absolutely love having you on the board of the A Girl You Might Know Foundation. Be sure to follow Nikki's journey and register for our upcoming Masterclass on Intellectual Property Protections with Nikki Mastrangelo on June 26, 2023, from 6–7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. 

This girl knows she has no limits. 

XO – A Girl You Might Know Foundation