Hathaway Pease Russell was recently named Managing Partner of BBA Sponsor Firm Foley Hoag. We caught up with Hathaway to learn more about her new role, her advice to new lawyers in Boston, and more. Check out the full interview below:
Boston Bar Association: What inspired you to become a lawyer, and more specifically, what drew you to your practice area?
Hathaway Russell: I’m a biotech patent prosecutor, so I focus on obtaining patents for pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, and universities. Patent law is really the perfect merger of law and science.
I grew up in El Paso, Texas, and when I was in junior high, I loved Lincoln-Douglas debate. I went to debate tournaments every weekend, debate camp in the summer, the whole nine yards. But at the same time, my parents were in medicine. I was also really drawn to science. I was a neuroscience major at Bowdoin College.
I did a research project with Dr. Abraham Verghese, an infectious disease physician and well-known author. I was helping him with some of his research on HIV patients. During that experience, it was very striking how important the doctors were, but also, what a huge role pharmaceutical companies play in the research and development of life-changing therapeutics for patients. So that’s how my path to patent law started. I love my job; biotech patent law is an incredible profession.
Boston Bar Association: Can you share any career highlights that you’re especially proud of?
Hathaway: There have been several milestones along the way. I have been at Foley Hoag for over 16 years, and I have seen the firm through many lenses, as an associate, a partner, in leadership roles, and in firm management. Last year, I was elected to the Executive Committee, and recently I was appointed Managing Partner. And that’s very special on a lot of levels.
Boston Bar Association: As a woman in the role of Managing Partner, is there anything you’re focusing on to help strengthen the pipeline for future women leaders?
Hathaway: Absolutely. We have mentoring groups for female attorneys within the firm that are very effective. I like working with women in the community to get them involved in intellectual property. It’s something I’m passionate about. Mentoring and making sure young women know there’s a path to success in this profession is important to me.
Boston Bar Association: What are the firm’s priorities in the coming years, and what opportunities or challenges do you anticipate?
Hathaway: Our vision is to build on our strong foundation and be a leading player in key practice areas: life sciences, energy technology, cannabis and high-stakes litigation. We have several priorities to accomplish that goal.
One is client-centric innovation—enhancing our client service by leveraging technology and innovative legal solutions to address their needs and challenges. Another priority is growth and specialization—strategically growing in our key practice areas and deepening our expertise to better serve our clients.
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is another big focus. We’ve always been a trailblazer in D&I issues and that will continue. I want us to be a destination of choice for diverse lawyers. This has always been a founding principle of Foley Hoag and that remains core in our culture.
And then finally, community engagement—continuing to strengthen our ties to the Boston community through pro bono work and local partnerships, such as with the BBA, to reinforce our commitment to social responsibility.
Boston Bar Association: In what ways has the partnership with the BBA benefited both you and your firm, and how can we work together to ensure this collaboration continues to be mutually rewarding?
Hathaway: Foley Hoag has been a longtime supporter of the BBA and its programming. The BBA has kept us updated on legal trends and best practices, and we will continue to encourage our attorneys—especially the ones newer to the profession—to become involved.
When I moved to Boston after I was in New York City for a year, the BBA was so instrumental in helping me learn the landscape and make friends. The events that you do, the programming, the leadership opportunities that so many attorneys here at Foley Hoag have had a chance to be a part of, have been awesome. We want to continue to actively participate in your events and networking functions, community outreach programs, seminars, etc. We also will continue to work with your committees and working groups, which are helpful for learning and for staying abreast of the newest parts of the law.
There have also been a lot of discussions on legal reform and practice standards, and we will actively support and advocate for your initiatives that align with our values, which include pro bono work, legal education, and DE&I efforts.
We look forward to continuing to identify opportunities to work together on projects and partnerships that benefit the firm and the broader legal community in Boston.
Boston Bar Association: What advice do you have for newer lawyers?
Hathaway: Dive into the community and absorb everything it has to offer. Actively networking and attending events, such as the ones sponsored by the BBA, is so important. I always encourage new lawyers to join the BBA and engage with mentors to build a strong professional network.
While I was in law school, I wrote an e-mail to a woman that was working at the firm that I ultimately ended up with in New York City, and I basically said, “I want to do what you’re doing.”
That being said, reaching out to more senior lawyers and others who can provide guidance, feedback and career advice can be invaluable for navigating the early stages of your career. People are always not just willing, but eager, to help young lawyers navigate this complex legal marketplace.
I would also say—and I’m not sure I would have said this when I first started the legal profession, but I truly believe it now—embrace specialization. Exploring different practice areas to find out what truly interests you is important, and then specializing in a niche area can really set you apart and open up unique career opportunities.
Boston Bar Association: How has IP law changed over recent years, particularly with the introduction and rise of AI?
Hathaway: In recent years, IP law has certainly had to adapt to the rise of AI, particularly in how we approach the patenting of AI innovations, copywriting AI-generated work, and protecting proprietary data. The legal standards are evolving to address these challenges, and I think that we can expect continued refinement of the regulations and increased global collaboration to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements. Over the next few years, we’ll likely see more guidelines for AI-related IP issues and ongoing adjustments to ensure effective protection that fosters innovation.
Boston Bar Association: If you weren’t a lawyer, what occupation do you think you would have pursued?
Hathaway: I think it would be something in the field of medicine. I also sing opera, but I probably should keep my day job!
Boston Bar Association: What is your favorite fall activity?
Hathaway: I really enjoy mountain biking. I like to ride the Kingdom Trails in Vermont. In the winter, you will definitely find me skiing in Vermont or Colorado.