From Patents to People: Greg Passa’s Mission at the Intersection of Law and Technology

Greg Passa joined Baylor Law School as an Assistant Professor of Law and an Affiliated Associate Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor University in the summer of 2024. He brings a wealth of knowledge in patent law, intellectual property, and a deep commitment to bridging the gap between the legal world and the inventive spirit. With a career that includes patent litigation, patent prosecution, academia, and his own experience as an inventor, Professor Passa is uniquely equipped to inspire and cultivate innovation in Baylor’s classrooms and beyond.

Born with a natural curiosity about how things work, Professor Passa’s path to a patent career began with a strong academic foundation in chemical engineering. Excelling academically, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. He went on to earn a Master of Philosophy in Advanced Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. His fascination with the intricacies of intellectual property law eventually led him to Columbia Law School, where he earned his Jurist Doctor and was designated a James Kent Scholar in 2020.

For Professor Passa, it wasn’t just the complexities of the law that captured his attention—it was the human element, particularly the inventors themselves. “I’m a guy who likes to invent things,” Passa shared, underscoring how his connection to the inventive process shaped his approach to patent law. “I understand how difficult the inventive process is, which helps me better understand clients.”

Before joining Baylor Law School, Professor Passa was a Visiting Associate Professor of Law and Frank H. Marks Intellectual Property Law Fellow at George Washington University Law School. He also held a faculty position at Columbia Law School, where he taught patent prosecution and litigation courses. His scholarship, published in the Journal of the Patent and Trademark Office Society, reflects his deep understanding of the nuances of intellectual property law.

Professor Passa’s scholarly achievements are impressive, but they are just one part of his story. He has also worked as a Big Law patent litigator and patent prosecutor at Foley Hoag LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison LLP and served as a Chemical Engineering Patent Examiner for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This diverse experience gives him a unique and well-rounded perspective he can’t wait to share with Baylor and Baylor Law School students. Through it all, Passa emphasizes that the legal profession is, first and foremost, a service profession. His dedication to serving inventors and innovators is evident in his pro bono work on behalf of low-income inventors, which earned him recognition from the USPTO in 2022.

Professor Passa is excited to be a part of Baylor, an R1 research institution with a law school known for emphasizing trial litigation. “So much of litigation these days involves patent litigation,” he noted, highlighting Baylor Law School’s critical role in this space. As a law professor and an Affiliated Associate Professor of Engineering and Computer Science, Passa is uniquely positioned to guide students through the intersections of law, technology, and innovation.

This dual appointment allows him to emphasize an often-overlooked aspect of patent law: the need to write and think from the inventor’s perspective. “Many times, lawyers who work on patents and patent litigation write for other lawyers rather than writing for inventors,” Passa observed. “It’s good to remind ourselves of our audience and how we connect with them.”

His commitment to the human side of lawyering is evident in his approach to teaching. “It’s important that Baylor Law School students understand not only the law but how to navigate difficult conversations with inventors as well,” Passa emphasized. “Sometimes a patent is too narrow or difficult to commercialize. We, as lawyers, must be encouraging but realistic with our clients.”

This attitude extends to his work with pro bono clients, who often come to him unsure of what steps to take next. “I enjoy and see so many benefits from working with clients new to the inventive process, unlike corporate clients who are more legally savvy,” Passa said. He sees this as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, guiding clients through a process that can be as daunting as it is rewarding.

Ultimately, Professor Passa believes in the potential of every individual to innovate. “I like to say that everyone has an Edison or a Tesla in them,” he remarked, “they just need someone who can encourage them or coax that invention out of them.”

As he settles into his new role at Baylor Law School, Greg Passa is not just teaching patent law—he’s fostering an environment where legal expertise meets technological innovation and where the human side of lawyering is never forgotten. Through his work in the classroom and beyond, he is poised to inspire the next generation of Baylor Lawyers and inventors alike, helping them navigate the complexities of patent law with skill and empathy.