Après TFS - Christy Xie '20
Discover how law student and founder Christy Xie '20 is making her mark in our latest Après TFS spotlight.
TFS: Please describe the path you took after TFS.
CHRISTY XIE: After TFS, I went to Western University for my undergraduate degree. There, I studied integrated science and specialized in computer science because I was interested in robotics and technology. During my undergrad, I also developed a strong interest in chemistry, so I added a minor and eventually completed my thesis through the Department of Chemistry. My project focused on machine learning and drug identification, specifically identifying different types of drugs in street samples.
That research became a really impactful part of my undergraduate experience. I had the opportunity to present the project in Dublin after being recognized as a Global Winner in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences. It was an incredible experience to meet other scholars from around the world, present my research and learn from everyone else there. What made the project especially important to me was that the research was connected to addressing the opioid crisis in Canada by developing better tools for drug identification and analysis, which felt like meaningful work.
That experience also shaped my decision to go to law school. Around third or fourth year, I realized I wanted to work in intellectual property and patents, especially after seeing how difficult the patent process can be for researchers developing new technology. So, I applied for law school in both Canada and the US and am now studying at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. I’m still very interested in technology and intellectual property, although my interests have expanded beyond patents into technology transactions and corporate work as well. Last summer, I worked in patent prosecution at a large law firm in Los Angeles, and this summer I will be working in technology and corporate transactions in New York.
Recently, I also started a startup project focused on patent drafting using AI, with the goal of helping inventors and researchers draft their own patents more easily. Earlier this year, I was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Madhani Legal Tech Fellowship at Penn Carey Law, which provides support and mentorship as we continue developing the venture. I’m really looking forward to connecting with others in the legal tech space and continuing to learn from people working at the intersection of law and technology.
TFS: What does a typical day look like for you?
CHRISTY XIE: Right now, my days are split between classes, clinic work and my startup. I’m currently part of the intellectual property clinic at Penn, where we work with real clients on a variety of matters including pilot agreements, NDAs and patent licensing deals. Outside of classes, I spend a lot of time working on a startup I’m building with a colleague I met during a patent law internship last summer.
A large part of that work involves coding, which is ironic because I thought I would leave that behind when I decided to study law. Over time, though, I realized it wasn’t coding itself that I disliked. I just did not feel connected to the assignments I was doing at the time. This project feels very different to me because I genuinely care about what we are building.
Now, our team is continuing to develop the platform while also working with professors and researchers at the university to pilot test the software. It’s been really rewarding to reconnect with this kind of technical work and it’s funny how finding something you care about can completely change your perspective on it.
TFS: What gives you the most satisfaction in your work?
CHRISTY XIE: I think it’s being able to create something that has a meaningful impact on other people. Whether it’s helping startups through clinic work, assisting with licensing agreements or building tools that could make patent drafting more accessible, the most rewarding part is knowing the work could genuinely help someone and make their life a little easier. That sense of creating something useful is probably the biggest source of motivation for me right now.
TFS: How did your experience at TFS help you get to where you are now?
CHRISTY XIE: Looking back, my biggest takeaway from TFS was learning to put myself out there and propose new ideas, even if they seem random at first. I was part of the Senior Wind Ensemble all five years, participated in DECA for about three years and started the FTC robotics club at the Senior School. The school was incredibly supportive of students trying new things. My DECA team was among the first from TFS to go to ICDC in Orlando. I later realized that students at other schools sometimes qualified but couldn’t attend because their schools wouldn’t fund the trip. Having that opportunity at TFS encouraged my interest in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The same thing happened with robotics. There wasn’t a robotics club at the Senior School, and I decided I wanted to start one. I went to the administration, pitched the idea, and with support from teachers at TFS and mentors at Dr. X Academy of Robotics and Coding, somehow ended up with funding, a classroom space, and the resources needed to make it happen. Looking back, it’s pleasantly surprising how much trust the school placed in students to pursue their ideas. That environment really shaped my mindset. It taught me that it never hurts to ask, to try something new or to put an idea out into the world.
TFS: How has French language and bilingualism impacted your career?
CHRISTY XIE: French has definitely helped me connect with people throughout both school and work. During my undergraduate research, my supervisor and one of the researchers were both from France. While I didn’t necessarily speak French with them all the time, being able to understand conversations and communicate comfortably helped our work move more smoothly. Even if I’m not using it every day, I think bilingualism still helps build relationships and understanding with people. It helps you connect with others more easily.
TFS: What skills or lessons from TFS do you find yourself applying most often in your work?
CHRISTY XIE: Definitely communication and leadership skills. At TFS, we did a lot of group projects, and I think that helped me learn how to work with different people, communicate clearly and collaborate effectively. Because it was a school environment, it also felt safe to make mistakes and learn from them.
Another skill is writing. My undergraduate degree was very science and computer science-focused, so coming to law school and suddenly writing constantly again reminded me how much of that foundation came from TFS and all the essays we had to do. At the time, I probably did not fully appreciate it, but looking back, those experiences prepared me much more than I realized.
TFS: What was your most memorable experience at TFS?
CHRISTY XIE: Going to Orlando for DECA was definitely one of my most memorable experiences. A few friends and I built a VR driving simulator that was designed to teach people how to drive. Funnily enough, I still don’t have my driver’s license. We were probably fifteen or sixteen at the time and thought it would be the coolest thing ever, and I still think it was a great project! My friends Delaney, Lily and I worked on it together, and we’re all still very close today. Lily is working in Toronto now, and Delaney works in Montreal. We still make the effort to see each other whenever we can, which is really special.
TFS: What advice would you give to current students?
CHRISTY XIE: I think my biggest piece of advice would be that it’s okay to have a wide variety of interests. When I was in high school applying to university, I felt a lot of pressure to narrow myself into one path. But I always had many different interests, and I worried that meant I wasn’t focused enough. Now I realize that’s completely okay. You don’t have to have everything figured out immediately. As long as you’re pursuing things you’re genuinely interested in, you’re moving in the right direction. All of the random “side quests” and experiences I’ve had along the way shaped who I am today, and I’m grateful for that. Not knowing exactly what you want to do doesn’t mean you lack passion; it just means you’re still exploring.
TFS: What do you wish you had known while at TFS that could have better prepared you for life after graduation?
CHRISTY XIE: I think I would say the importance of being open-minded and adaptable. Not everything goes according to plan, and that’s okay. Being able to pivot, adjust and stay flexible is such an important skill. I think having a self-starter mindset is valuable, but it’s equally important to recognize that plans change, interests evolve and unexpected opportunities come up. Rarely does life follow a perfectly straight path, and I think learning to embrace that is really important.
Back
CHRISTY XIE: After TFS, I went to Western University for my undergraduate degree. There, I studied integrated science and specialized in computer science because I was interested in robotics and technology. During my undergrad, I also developed a strong interest in chemistry, so I added a minor and eventually completed my thesis through the Department of Chemistry. My project focused on machine learning and drug identification, specifically identifying different types of drugs in street samples.
That research became a really impactful part of my undergraduate experience. I had the opportunity to present the project in Dublin after being recognized as a Global Winner in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences. It was an incredible experience to meet other scholars from around the world, present my research and learn from everyone else there. What made the project especially important to me was that the research was connected to addressing the opioid crisis in Canada by developing better tools for drug identification and analysis, which felt like meaningful work.
That experience also shaped my decision to go to law school. Around third or fourth year, I realized I wanted to work in intellectual property and patents, especially after seeing how difficult the patent process can be for researchers developing new technology. So, I applied for law school in both Canada and the US and am now studying at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. I’m still very interested in technology and intellectual property, although my interests have expanded beyond patents into technology transactions and corporate work as well. Last summer, I worked in patent prosecution at a large law firm in Los Angeles, and this summer I will be working in technology and corporate transactions in New York.
Recently, I also started a startup project focused on patent drafting using AI, with the goal of helping inventors and researchers draft their own patents more easily. Earlier this year, I was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Madhani Legal Tech Fellowship at Penn Carey Law, which provides support and mentorship as we continue developing the venture. I’m really looking forward to connecting with others in the legal tech space and continuing to learn from people working at the intersection of law and technology.
TFS: What does a typical day look like for you?
CHRISTY XIE: Right now, my days are split between classes, clinic work and my startup. I’m currently part of the intellectual property clinic at Penn, where we work with real clients on a variety of matters including pilot agreements, NDAs and patent licensing deals. Outside of classes, I spend a lot of time working on a startup I’m building with a colleague I met during a patent law internship last summer.
A large part of that work involves coding, which is ironic because I thought I would leave that behind when I decided to study law. Over time, though, I realized it wasn’t coding itself that I disliked. I just did not feel connected to the assignments I was doing at the time. This project feels very different to me because I genuinely care about what we are building.
Now, our team is continuing to develop the platform while also working with professors and researchers at the university to pilot test the software. It’s been really rewarding to reconnect with this kind of technical work and it’s funny how finding something you care about can completely change your perspective on it.
TFS: What gives you the most satisfaction in your work?
CHRISTY XIE: I think it’s being able to create something that has a meaningful impact on other people. Whether it’s helping startups through clinic work, assisting with licensing agreements or building tools that could make patent drafting more accessible, the most rewarding part is knowing the work could genuinely help someone and make their life a little easier. That sense of creating something useful is probably the biggest source of motivation for me right now.
TFS: How did your experience at TFS help you get to where you are now?
CHRISTY XIE: Looking back, my biggest takeaway from TFS was learning to put myself out there and propose new ideas, even if they seem random at first. I was part of the Senior Wind Ensemble all five years, participated in DECA for about three years and started the FTC robotics club at the Senior School. The school was incredibly supportive of students trying new things. My DECA team was among the first from TFS to go to ICDC in Orlando. I later realized that students at other schools sometimes qualified but couldn’t attend because their schools wouldn’t fund the trip. Having that opportunity at TFS encouraged my interest in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The same thing happened with robotics. There wasn’t a robotics club at the Senior School, and I decided I wanted to start one. I went to the administration, pitched the idea, and with support from teachers at TFS and mentors at Dr. X Academy of Robotics and Coding, somehow ended up with funding, a classroom space, and the resources needed to make it happen. Looking back, it’s pleasantly surprising how much trust the school placed in students to pursue their ideas. That environment really shaped my mindset. It taught me that it never hurts to ask, to try something new or to put an idea out into the world.
TFS: How has French language and bilingualism impacted your career?
CHRISTY XIE: French has definitely helped me connect with people throughout both school and work. During my undergraduate research, my supervisor and one of the researchers were both from France. While I didn’t necessarily speak French with them all the time, being able to understand conversations and communicate comfortably helped our work move more smoothly. Even if I’m not using it every day, I think bilingualism still helps build relationships and understanding with people. It helps you connect with others more easily.
TFS: What skills or lessons from TFS do you find yourself applying most often in your work?
CHRISTY XIE: Definitely communication and leadership skills. At TFS, we did a lot of group projects, and I think that helped me learn how to work with different people, communicate clearly and collaborate effectively. Because it was a school environment, it also felt safe to make mistakes and learn from them.
Another skill is writing. My undergraduate degree was very science and computer science-focused, so coming to law school and suddenly writing constantly again reminded me how much of that foundation came from TFS and all the essays we had to do. At the time, I probably did not fully appreciate it, but looking back, those experiences prepared me much more than I realized.
TFS: What was your most memorable experience at TFS?
CHRISTY XIE: Going to Orlando for DECA was definitely one of my most memorable experiences. A few friends and I built a VR driving simulator that was designed to teach people how to drive. Funnily enough, I still don’t have my driver’s license. We were probably fifteen or sixteen at the time and thought it would be the coolest thing ever, and I still think it was a great project! My friends Delaney, Lily and I worked on it together, and we’re all still very close today. Lily is working in Toronto now, and Delaney works in Montreal. We still make the effort to see each other whenever we can, which is really special.
TFS: What advice would you give to current students?
CHRISTY XIE: I think my biggest piece of advice would be that it’s okay to have a wide variety of interests. When I was in high school applying to university, I felt a lot of pressure to narrow myself into one path. But I always had many different interests, and I worried that meant I wasn’t focused enough. Now I realize that’s completely okay. You don’t have to have everything figured out immediately. As long as you’re pursuing things you’re genuinely interested in, you’re moving in the right direction. All of the random “side quests” and experiences I’ve had along the way shaped who I am today, and I’m grateful for that. Not knowing exactly what you want to do doesn’t mean you lack passion; it just means you’re still exploring.
TFS: What do you wish you had known while at TFS that could have better prepared you for life after graduation?
CHRISTY XIE: I think I would say the importance of being open-minded and adaptable. Not everything goes according to plan, and that’s okay. Being able to pivot, adjust and stay flexible is such an important skill. I think having a self-starter mindset is valuable, but it’s equally important to recognize that plans change, interests evolve and unexpected opportunities come up. Rarely does life follow a perfectly straight path, and I think learning to embrace that is really important.
