Lance Kurata was an associate at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in the early ’90s during the biotech and high-tech software boom. He frequently worked on licensing agreements and enjoyed it, especially when negotiating sharing between biotech or recreational software providers. He considered changing jobs but instead approached his superiors, suggesting but not expecting, that the firm form a licensing technology group.

To his surprise, not only was his idea welcomed, he was appointed to establish it. Later as a partner at Fish & Richardson, Kurata led its licensing practice. A partner at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo since June 2006, he still has licensing law as his main focus..

“What I do is extremely satisfying,” says Kurata, 37, “whether for lifesaving or just fun,” depending upon what software sharing he is helping to accommodate.

Kurata lives in Encinitas with his wife, Kim, and sons Carl, 7, and Braden, 13 months.

A graduate of Stanford Law School, he was named a San Diego County Top Attorney this year. An athletic youth himself, Kurata aspires someday to become a coach for his sons’ teams.