Why Retired IP Lawyers Like Terry Rea Are Finding It Hard to Leave the Field

When patent partner Terry Rea set her sights on retirement, she anticipated the independence and relief from stress that such a lifestyle would entail. Rea, the former acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, seemed ready for a life of fewer deadlines and more flexible hours. However, for her and many others in the intellectual property legal field, stepping away isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.