Annette Kwok
About Annette Kwok
Annette Kwok serves as the Head of Intellectual Property at Cronos Group, where she specializes in global intellectual property protections related to cannabis research and product development. With a background in science and extensive experience in various legal roles, she has contributed to numerous organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Work at Cronos Group
Annette Kwok serves as the Head of Intellectual Property at Cronos Group, a position she has held since 2019. In her role, she advises the business team on global intellectual property protections, particularly in relation to cannabis research, technology, and product developments. Her work focuses on exploring novel applications for minor and under-explored cannabinoids and terpenes, contributing to the company's innovation in the cannabis industry.
Education and Expertise
Annette Kwok holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in Patent Law from UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, which she completed from 2002 to 2005. She also has a Professional Certificate in Drug Discovery & Development from the University of California, San Diego, earned between 1999 and 2001. Additionally, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, from 1994 to 1999. Her educational background, combined with her experience as a former scientist, enhances her expertise as a patent attorney.
Professional Background
Annette Kwok has a diverse professional background in law and science. Before joining Cronos Group, she worked at various law firms, including Venable LLP and Baker & Hostetler, where she served as an Associate. Her earlier roles included positions at Roberts Mlotkowski Safran & Cole P.C. and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Additionally, she has held leadership roles in various legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Achievements in Legal Organizations
Annette Kwok has been actively involved in several legal organizations. She served as a member of the Board of Governors for the DC Bar from 2016 to 2019 and was a trustee for the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law since 2020. Her contributions to the American Bar Association include roles on the Standing Committee on Professionalism and the Commission on Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA). She also held leadership positions within the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Greater Washington DC Area.
Previous Work Experience
Prior to her legal career, Annette Kwok worked as an Associate Scientist at Johnson & Johnson from 1999 to 2002. She also gained experience in the legal field through internships at Biogen, Procter & Gamble, and Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox. Her early career in science and her subsequent transition to law provide her with a unique perspective in her current role at Cronos Group.