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The sciences were always a passion point for Adam Smoot, so much so that, while in college, his research on electrical fields and their use in cardiology resulted in his name being included on a patent.
“I’ve just always been fascinated by learning how things come together,” the current director and senior IP counsel at innovative eye care product company Alcon explains. “Whether that’s how a motor works, why the tides come in and out, or how cells reproduce, it’s all so fascinating to learn about. I loved learning those principles and applying them to solving problems.”
Smoot assumed he’d pursue dental or medical school after college, but some previous life experience had also kept him curious about the possibility of a law career.
Early Law Lessons
In high school, Smoot sat on his West Bountiful, Utah, community’s youth city council. The community created a youth court. Young offenders were offered a different way of addressing their transgressions without it affecting their legal records, usually through community service or counseling.
Then there was the car accident that left Smoot with a broken back. The accident wasn’t his fault, but the high school student was still confronted with an insurance company that didn’t want to pay for the extensive physical therapy Smoot would attend for years.
“I had an uncle who was a very good lawyer and stepped in on my family’s behalf,” Smoot remembers. “He wanted me to focus on getting better, not on learning to sue an insurance company while still in high school. I had just experienced a few moments in my life where lawyers had made a difference, and I could see the training they went through helped them see the world in a different way.”
So while Smoot could have just as easily pursued a medical career, the law just seemed more compelling. And his work today is that perfect combination of science, legal prowess, and supporting work that transforms patients’ lives.
Seeing Brilliantly
At Alcon, Smoot says his broader charge is supporting his company’s mission of helping people “see brilliantly.” He knows just how valuable Alcon’s technology can be to improving the day-to-day lives of people everywhere, including himself.
“We focus on ocular health, and right out of law school, I was able to get LASIK eye surgery,” the lawyer explains. “It was incredible for me. I know how life-altering that can be, and so I feel very passionate about the work that we do here.”
At Alcon, Smoot’s role as in-house counsel is both strategic and hands-on. As a patent attorney, he operates behind the scenes on product launches, working to protect Alcon’s innovations. The lawyer’s engineering background gives him a unique advantage in understanding the technologies at the heart of Alcon’s mission.
“I’ve just always been fascinated by learning how things come together.”
Adam Smoot
Smoot is able to support work on cutting-edge laser surgery machines and other vision-enhancing technologies, like a new technology that assists cataract surgery, marrying legal strategy with scientific innovation. And it’s not niche tech. Most of us will encounter vision problems at some stage of our life—Smoot’s efforts today may very well enable better vision for the rest of us in the years to come.
“Adam is a terrific counselor with a curious mind and a rare ability to quickly grasp complex technologies,” says Sepp Zangeneh, partner at Patterson + Sheridan. “We’ve been fortunate to work with him and the outstanding team at Alcon for many years, and we’re excited to see their innovations continue to help patients see brilliantly!”
Seeking Out Mentorship and Feedback
Smoot is also ever conscious of how mentorship has impacted his own career. From critical early experience at firm Baker Botts, to IP firm Maschoff Brennan, the lawyer says he’s been fortunate to have been taken under the wing by attorneys who took more time than they needed to in order to provide Smoot feedback, show him the legal ropes, and help him learn how to be a good patent attorney.
“Passing that mentorship on is something I take very seriously,” the legal counsel says.
Smoot was a regular mentor for various summer associates programs in private practice and has continued that mentorship more informally at Alcon. For young lawyers, Smoot advocates trying to become an informational sponge, soaking up feedback and not taking critical feedback personally.
“Someone is taking the time to invest in you and provide you feedback to learn to be better,” Smoot says. “Seek that feedback out and take it graciously. Apply what you’re hearing.”
Additionally, seek out mentors. It can be easy to think of others as too busy for your time, or for you to think you don’t have the time.
“I think you can be surprised what happens if you’re willing to speak up and say that you’re looking for some feedback,” the lawyer explains. “If people know you want to improve your work, they’re more likely to be willing to support you. It’s so important to find those people with whom you can align yourself.”
The senior IP counsel is also a busy dad, a husband, and an avid sports enthusiast, which includes being an admitted “volleyball junkie.” While Smoot spent over a decade in private practice, he’s grateful to have come in-house so he could spend more time on his personal pursuits and with his family of seven.
“Adam is smart, thoughtful, and a pleasure to work with. Most importantly, Adam cares deeply about quality—a commitment that is demonstrated by the thoughtful, collaborative, and constructive feedback he consistently provides to ensure the strength and integrity of Alcon’s patent portfolios.”
–The team at Patterson + Sheridan
