Vivi Sankar ('27), a double major in Chemistry and Finance, spent this last summer working as a Law Clerk at Saper Law, a firm that focuses on intellectual property and business law. The internship reinforced Vivi's goal of becoming a patent lawyer, as she plans to use her scientific background and business acumen to strengthen her legal career. This experience was supported by the Franklin Opportunity Fund, an internship funding opportunity for Benjamin Franklin Scholars.
Vivi Sankar – SAS '27, Wharton'27 | Chemistry; Finance
This summer I worked as a Law Clerk at Saper Law, a boutique firm that focuses on intellectual property and business law. I assisted with legal research, drafting memoranda, observing courtroom proceedings, and supporting client intake, with a particular focus on copyright and trademark matters.
Growing up in Chicago, I was always inspired by the city's energy, creativity, and innovation. When I began searching for legal internships, I knew I wanted to find a place rooted in that same spirit. I came across Saper Law while researching firms known for their work in intellectual property and business law, and I was immediately captivated by its headline-making cases and dynamic client base. The opportunity to work with artists, tech companies, and entrepreneurs felt like the perfect fit.
A large portion of my work centered on trademarks and copyrights. I assisted with trademark filings by researching potential conflicts, reviewing USPTO records, and analyzing case precedent on likelihood of confusion. I also drafted client memoranda summarizing my findings and prepared materials for attorneys to use in consultations. On the copyright side, I helped evaluate whether works qualified for protection and conducted research on issues such as derivative works and fair use. I was also involved in defamation matters, observing client consultations where attorneys carefully balanced legal elements with the very personal nature of reputational harm – especially in an age where online speech can spread widely and quickly.
My internship also gave me exposure to the business side of a law firm. I saw firsthand how Saper Law markets its services through community events, educational presentations, and media engagement. Watching how attorneys communicated complex legal concepts to general audiences highlighted the importance of accessibility and transparency in building trust with clients and showed me that being a lawyer requires both legal expertise and strong communication skills to expand a practice and maintain long-term relationships.
Pictured: Vivi Sankar with Attorneys Brandon Beymer and Emily Mosnick from Saper Law Firm
The experience reinforced my long-term goal of becoming a patent lawyer. With my background in chemistry and finance, I was able to approach certain client projects with a technical and analytical lens. This confirmed how valuable my dual academic path can be in legal practice, particularly in the life sciences and biotechnology fields. Beyond technical skills, I also built meaningful connections with attorneys who generously shared their perspectives on career development, encouraging me to continue exploring how my scientific background can strengthen my legal career.
I left Saper Law with stronger research and writing abilities, a deeper appreciation for the client-facing side of legal practice, and a renewed motivation to pursue patent law as a career that blends my scientific training with my interest in advocacy and business strategy.
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