We are pleased to spotlight Carrie Anne Haufler this month! Carrie is an Intake Patent Paralegal and works out of our New York office.
How long have you been at Wolf Greenfield?
I just joined Wolf Greenfield in March 2024. I used to work at the Northern Virginia office of another IP law firm but had been planning to relocate to NYC for a long time. I finally moved up to NYC about a year ago and joined Wolf Greenfield shortly after my move.
How has being authentic helped you in your career?
Presenting myself in a way that makes me feel more like myself has made me more comfortable at work, both physically and socially. I used to try to fit in more, both in social situations at work and by trying to follow a traditional career path “up the ladder,” but I learned that everyone’s path is different, and the most important thing is being able to appreciate and accept who you are and where you are at.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
If I could, I would spend all my time reading, walking around the city with my dog, and watching TV/movies, so my genuine first answer is that I need the money! But I also enjoy the routine of an office job, and the intake team is a very organization heavy position, which I love. Putting disorganized things in order and working out what goes where brings me a lot of satisfaction.
What has been your favorite project/assignment at Wolf Greenfield?
I don’t have a specific project to mention, but I really enjoy seeing all the biotechnology and healthcare specific patents that Wolf Greenfield works on. It’s exciting to see what new treatments and technologies are being developed.
Why is diversity and inclusion in the workplace important to you?
My worldview has been expanded and informed by the diversity of my friend group throughout my life, and by the different types of jobs I have held where I worked with people from a variety of backgrounds. My life would be much less rich without having known these people, and they would likely say the same of me. At work (and anywhere, really), it’s easy to forget we are all just people trying to do our best each day, and if someone is doing that in ways you aren’t familiar with, that is just a chance to grow and learn about someone else’s perspective and experiences. The more we understand and appreciate each other and what we each have to offer, the better we can do our jobs and live our lives outside of work. Environments where you are only surrounded by people who are very similar to you not only limit the range of available ideas and perspectives, but at worst can promote ignorance and reinforce harmful stereotypes.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I have an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree from SOAS University of London, an LLM in US Law from George Mason University Law School, and I am eligible to sit for the NY bar exam. I have no immediate plans to sit for the exam, but I’ll get there eventually!
I have struggled with chronic health problems for several years now that have caused me to alter my plans for my future and made day to day life look different than it used to. I just want to encourage everyone that no matter how much you plan ahead and work out every possible detail and have a plan A, B, and C, sometimes life just doesn’t turn out the way you planned! This isn’t revolutionary, and I’m sure many of you have experienced something similar, but especially for everyone in their 20s I just want to let you know that you will find a way forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. And even if it doesn’t look like what you’ve planned that doesn’t mean it won’t be amazing.
