Stephen Johnson obtained a degree in genetics from Cambridge University and then pursued a career in intellectual property (IP) law, initially in the United Kingdom at Bird & Bird and then in the United States.
He worked for Kirkland & Ellis LLP for over thirty years and was a founding partner of its New York and San Francisco offices, as well as the senior partner in its IP groups in those offices.
Since 2013, Mr. Johnson has written, taught, and consulted on IP in a business context, as well as working on data sharing in brain and mental health research. He is the author of The Economist Guide to Intellectual Property (Economist Books, 2015). He has taught as a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business since 2016. He co-created and has taught the courses “Protecting Ideas” and “Technology Licensing.” These courses for MBA students introduce business students to IP and how IP meshes with business strategy.
Areas of Expertise
Education
IIT Chicago Kent College of Law
JD, High Honors, 1984
College of Law
Solicitors Final Exam, Honours, 1980
Cambridge University
BA/MA, Genetics, 1978
Recognition
- Intellectual Asset Management Magazine (IAM)
300 list of the world’s top IP strategists
2015-2017 - Cambridge in America
Member of board, former chair of Nominating and Audit Committees
2009-2018