Erich has decades of diverse corporate, university, government and law firm experiences in the life sciences after working in the farming sector during his formative years. Some of his past positions include as Biostatistician for DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics, Senior Corn Breeder for DeKalb Genetics Intl., and as a Primary Examiner in plant biotechnology and Plant Patents with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Most recently he retired as a Partner at Cooley LLP where he worked in patent counseling and prosecution within the patent litigation department for over 15 years. Erich now has his own IP consultancy firm. During his legal career Erich has worked with clients of all sizes and growth phases in nearly all facets of the life sciences sector, with a particular focus on agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding, food science, climate change, alternative foods, biocides, natural plant growth regulators and protectants, cannabis, mushrooms, and plant-based pharmaceuticals.