Leslie Robinson

Dr. Robinson has over 15 years of experience developing and implementing IP strategies to protect pharmaceutical innovation. After obtaining her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2006, she joined the San Diego office of Morrison & Foerster LLP, where her practice focused on patent procurement and portfolio management. She was part of the firm’s venture IP practice, supporting clients making strategic investments in the biopharmaceutical industry. She moved in-house to Pfizer Inc. in 2010, where she assumed positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she was an Assistant General Counsel supporting the oncology research, development, and commercial organizations. In 2019, she obtained an LL.M. in health law from Loyola University Chicago with a focus on compliance. Dr. Robinson obtained her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Indiana University and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of California Irvine. Prior to transitioning to law, she worked in drug discovery for more than 10 years, beginning her scientific career at Ciba (now Novartis), before joining CombiChem Inc. She was promoted to Director of Medicinal Chemistry after the company’s acquisition by DuPont Pharmaceuticals (now Bristol Myers Squibb) and remained in that role following the spin-out to Deltagen Pharmaceuticals.