Alisha Feustel is a founding partner at Akona IP who focuses on all aspects of intellectual property law, especially patent prosecution (the writing, filing, and handling of patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office) and patent portfolio management (the strategic handling of one’s patent assets). She works closely with clients in a variety of technologies, including semiconductor device packaging, biomedical devices, computer memory and storage technologies, and many others.
Alisha attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She pivoted from an engineering career to an equally successful legal one, which led to the eventual creation of her own law firm. I had the opportunity to interview Alisha, learn about the founding of her all-female law firm, and gain advice for current and prospective law students. The following is a paraphrased, edited version of our discussion that includes my explanations for some IP lingo for those who may be less familiar.
How did you get involved in IP/patents?
I have a chemical engineering background, and I worked in that field for about 12-15 years before going to law school. My sister actually got me interested in patents because she is a biomedical engineer. She was always working with patents. Seeing the kind of work she did was a lightbulb moment for me. It inspired me to go to law school for the purpose of practicing patent law.
Why did you choose Loyola when applying to law school?
Loyola was (and still is) known for being a great school for those interested in patent law, and I chose it because I knew before applying that’s what I wanted to practice. Professor Ho runs a great IP program because she is very knowledgeable and helpful in all facets of law school. It is great that after your 1L year, you can basically build your own schedule and choose any classes that are of interest to you. I also loved how committed Loyola is to service and giving back through the various clinics they offer to law students.
Tell me about your law firm, Akona IP.
I worked in New York at a big law firm out of law school. I started doing both patent litigation and prosecution. I decided after doing both I preferred prosecution. On top of that, I was working on licensing deals, infringement analyses, freedom-to-operate opinions, and patent portfolio management for clients. It was a great start to my career, and building those relationships with those in the office was an invaluable opportunity.
I then worked in-house for various corporations in the Boston area. My husband and I transferred to California with his job, so I needed a new opportunity. After working at another firm for some time, a group of 6 women (that I had previously worked with) and I founded Akona IP. With it being a virtual firm, I can work remotely and still live in California with my family. I never would have imagined this happening to me, but I love it!
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
The most challenging part is that, because we are a virtual firm and work remotely, I have to be very disciplined with my schedule; otherwise, I won’t have work-life balance and will to work when I shouldn’t be or not work unless there’s an impending deadline.
The best part of my job is that, because we are a small firm, we all have a say in everything! We all have different backgrounds, so each person adds a lot of value to the firm with their different insights and opinions. We do everything together, including running the business of the firm. This makes us a cohesive unit that provides excellent service to the clients. It doesn’t hurt that we have great clients! I also love that because we are a virtual firm, we are dispersed throughout the country, which allows us to learn different things from each other.
Do you participate in any pro bono work?
Yes, I do! A recent pro bono project I worked on was with Microsoft’s “Make What’s Next” project. This project helps support student inventors in the STEM fields, with a focus on supporting and mentoring female and minority students. I worked with students from a local high school to draft and file a patent application for equipment that will help protect firefighters and outdoor workers. There are so many wildfires here in California, so being able to do my part in helping these students patent potentially lifesaving equipment has been very rewarding.
Do you have any advice for current or future law students?
Don’t be afraid of change! I never would have imagined where I am in my life and career right now. I think being flexible and open to new opportunities has really been so beneficial to helping me get to where I am today.
When you are a practicing attorney, know your law. You will need to read cases and teach the law to yourself. Everyone at my firm, including myself, keeps up with new changes in the law so we can continue to provide excellent client service. While you need to teach it to yourself, don’t be afraid to talk to others and collaborate.
And lastly, what do you do for fun in your free time?
My family and I love being outdoors. We do lots of hiking and camping, along with off-roading and 4-wheeling. California is the perfect place for all of that, so I highly recommend taking a trip out here for anyone with the same passion for the outdoors!
Emily Moll
Associate Blogger; Technical Editor
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D. 2026