NLD Member Spotlight: Sara Gold

Once a writer, always a writer, as Sara Gold likes to say. A former Orange County Register news reporter, Sara found that her love for research, interviewing, and writing enabled her to seamlessly transition from writing stories to writing briefs and motions. After graduating from the California Western School of Law in 2019 and starting her legal career at Eastman IP, Sara became the Editor of this very newsletter before starting her own law practice.

“I’ve always loved writing and editing. If you ask me today, I would say I’m both a journalist and a lawyer,” she says.

Career Pivot

Graduating with a communications and journalism degree from American Jewish University, Sara fostered her love for writing and editing while running the college newspaper. After working for a couple of years in the San Clemente bureau of the Orange County Register, she took her father’s advice to pursue law. After that suggestion was made in January 2015, Sara quickly took the LSAT and started law school that fall.

“This was a leap of faith,” Sara says. “I knew I had the ability to succeed in law; I just didn’t know initially if I would have the passion for it.”

Sara loved her experience at Cal Western, but she continued to be a journalist. She created the school’s online version of their longstanding newspaper, The Commentary, and served as its editor for the next two years. Her involvement with the campus newspaper was a great way to become immersed in the campus, to meet faculty and other students, and to gain leadership experience. Her time as Editor was also good practice for future collaborative efforts with attorneys and paralegals.

Involvement in Legal Profession and Legal Community

Sara gravitated toward intellectual property (IP) in law school. She found herself at the intersection of free speech, copyright, and fair use, which felt like a natural extension of her interest in writing and journalism. Post-graduation, her first job was at Eastman IP, a boutique law firm specializing exclusively in IP law, where she honed her skills in trademark and copyright litigation. Her goal post-graduation was to work at a firm that exclusively handled IP matters, and she feels blessed to have been able to have had that experience at Eastman IP.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work there. I received great mentorship from all the partners,” Sara says.

Sara’s time with the New Lawyer Division became a bridge between her two worlds. Serving on the executive board and running the NLD’s newsletter for two years, she thrived in an environment where her past journalistic expertise merged with her present professional sensibilities. Her tenure allowed her to work closely with Savanah Tiffany, the Content and Publications Editor of the SDCBA, whom she praises for exemplary work. “It was a privilege to work with her. She’s very good at what she does and is a big asset to the SDCBA,” Sara says.

From Gold to Gold IP Law

Sara recently started her own intellectual property practice Gold IP Law, through which she assists clients with trademark/copyright registrations and litigation. She also does freelance litigation consulting for attorneys at other IP firms.

Sara has been building her client base and helping people navigate through intellectual property legal challenges. She enjoys the opportunity to begin laying a foundation for a self-sustaining practice, as she always knew she wanted to go out on her own.

Her advice to those thinking about starting their own practice is: “It takes time to establish yourself, to become rooted in the community, and to gain skills in your field. If you’re going to do it, have the patience and commitment to go on that journey.”

Additionally, with a strong focus on staying updated with legal developments and her interest in research, Sara finds joy in contributing to IP-related academic discourse through various law journals and magazines, and she also serves on the editorial board for the SDCBA’s San Diego Lawyer magazine. In terms of current IP topics, she is excited to see how artificial intelligence issues will unfold as the courts are primed to weigh in on the issue in the next few months.

Advice for New Lawyers

Sara’s journey from journalist to lawyer is filled with insights that can inspire newly licensed legal professionals:

1. Embrace Learning and Ask Questions: Sara emphasizes the value of continuous learning, acknowledging that the legal field constantly presents new challenges and opportunities for growth. New lawyers should embrace their curiosity and never fear admitting what they don’t know.Sara encourages new lawyers to reach out for advice and ask questions when needed, and to not fear being perceived as incompetent. “Don’t be afraid of not knowing or being enough. Everyone knows that you don’t know everything. You’re expected to apply yourself and do your best with the knowledge you have; you’re not expected to be a veteran attorney,” Sara says.
2. Preparation and Persistence: Being well-prepared is key, especially when seeking assistance. Sara suggests demonstrating efforts to find a solution before requesting help. “Do as much as you can on your own before asking a partner…This is helpful to the partner too,” Sara says.

Conclusion

Sara Gold’s professional path is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and a thirst for knowledge. Her desire to pursue was less of a transition than it was an expansion of her natural affinity for writing and research. Her story shows that working in an area of passion and seeking opportunities to cultivate that passion no matter where we are can help form and direct a meaningful