Merchant & Gould is excited to welcome Saalini Sekar as its newest associate in the Minneapolis office.   She will bring her electrical engineering and patent experience to the Electrical Group.

After seven years in the technology sector with IBM, Micron and Maytag, Saalini went to the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated last year.  While in law school, she received the Merchant & Gould Scholarship, worth $10,000/year, which included a match from University of Minnesota Law School.  This scholarship also led to a summer associate opportunities for two consecutive summers at Merchant & Gould – and now a full-time position, effective February 11.

“It is very gratifying to see the scholarship make it possible for exceedingly well-qualified law students to further their interest in IP law -- and enrich the profession with their experience,” said Christopher J. Leonard, Managing Director of Merchant & Gould.  "We are proud that our scholarship inspired such a talented attorney here.  Welcome, Saalini!”

Prior to her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota, Saalini earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Science in both computer and electrical engineering, from Iowa State University.

“I sincerely thank you for the scholarship, as well as for the opportunity to work at your firm.  I am truly grateful for your generosity,” Saalini wrote in a letter in December 2017, after receiving the scholarship and summer associate opportunity.  “In addition to the financial support that this scholarship has afforded me, I am thankful for the opportunities that it has since opened up.”