Lisa Larrimore Ouel

Lisa Larrimore Ouellette's approach blends rigorous analysis with practical applications in the realm of intellectual property and innovation law. As an Associate Professor at Stanford Law School, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her students and colleagues. Her academic journey began with a B.A. from Swarthmore College, followed by a Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. This diverse educational background provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, science, and technology. Before joining the faculty at Stanford, Professor Ouellette honed her legal skills as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale and through clerkships with judges in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. These experiences have deeply informed her research and teaching, allowing her to bridge the gap between theoretical legal concepts and their practical implications in the field of intellectual property. Her research interests are wide-ranging and include online surveys, biomedical innovation, patent examination, pharmaceutical prices, and the distinctiveness of trademarks. She has a keen interest in how intellectual property policies can influence innovation, particularly in the context of publicly funded research and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. Professor Ouellette's contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous accolades, including the prestigious John Bingham Hurlbut Award for teaching excellence at Stanford Law School. Her commitment to education and research is further exemplified by her role as a Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, where she collaborates with other experts to explore the economic impacts of legal policies. In her work, Professor Ouellette is particularly focused on the technicalities of patent law and the role of scientific expertise in patent examination. She is dedicated to understanding and improving the relationship between intellectual property rights and innovation policies, ensuring that legal frameworks support and encourage technological advancement and public welfare. Through her teaching, research, and public service, Lisa Larrimore Ouellette continues to make significant contributions to the field of innovation law, shaping the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners while addressing some of the most pressing challenges in intellectual property today.