JP Lawrence works at the intersection of law and technology as an intellectual property engineer at RapidSOS. We sat down with JP and he spoke to us about the role the Intellectual Property Team plays in protecting our life-saving technology.
Q: What’s your position and how long have you been working at RapidSOS?
A: I’m an intellectual property engineer, and I joined RapidSOS in October of 2017.
On one hand, my role is to make sure that we’re capturing all of the products, innovations, inventions, and ideas that come out of RapidSOS and protect them, legally. We have to source and record all of the ideas that come out and put them into their proper buckets. After that, we start the process of turning those ideas into patent applications. And throughout the process of drafting patent applications, we meet with the engineers that have worked on the technology to get a better understanding of the technology.
The other half of my job is being creative in developing new concepts. By understanding RapidSOS products and the critical communications landscape at-large, I can find ways to develop new concepts and figure out new ways RapidSOS can have an impact on the industry.
So, I spend a lot of time writing patent applications, I spend a lot of time talking to engineers, and I spend a lot of time conceiving new ideas for RapidSOS to pursue.
Q: What made working at RapidSOS appealing to you?
A: I previously started a career in intellectual property doing patent prosecutions. Prior to RapidSOS I had my own startup, and when figuring out my next career move, I wanted to either get back into intellectual property or continue to do work in the startup ecosystem. Ultimately, I got really lucky and found both at RapidSOS.
Q: What motivates you to do the work that you’re doing here?
A: RapidSOS has a beautiful mission and technology that literally saves lives – that’s what motivates me.
Q: What’s the best part about working at RapidSOS?
A: First of all, I think we have an incredible culture and a beautiful mission, but I’d say my favorite thing about working at RapidSOS is the culture of accountability. Everyone is very smart and holds themselves accountable. And, this is how every startup needs to be. Everyone needs to take ownership of their job and ownership of the role they play in the company. In many places, people do that to varying degrees, but here at RapidSOS, everyone does it at a high level. It’s an inspiring thing for me, and it makes me enjoy coming into work everyday.
Q: How has RapidSOS helped you reach your goals?
A. I really wanted to advance my career in intellectual property, and I really wanted to advance my career in the startup world. I couldn’t imagine being able to do both at the same time and same place, but I’ve had the opportunity to do so at RapidSOS. I would say that I am now a much more experienced and accomplished patent practitioner.
Q: If you could switch positions with one person for a day, who would it be?
A: Easily Michelle [Head of Marketing at RapidSOS]. She really sits at the nexus of everything. She’s like the communication portal, and everything that’s going on goes through her. It would be really cool to see that perspective.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I’m a pretty big sports guy. I really like to follow football, basketball, and hockey. I also do some mentoring for young startups.
Join our mission working on life-saving technology! RapidSOS is hiring for positions in our New York office and nationwide. Take a look at our current openings.
