Patrice Kloss
Partner, Fox Rothschild
1. What does a typical day at the office look like for you?
Most days involve a lot of telephone calls and Zoom meetings advising clients, who consist of mostly medical device companies, venture capitalists, and strategic investors. I also prepare and negotiate transaction documents pertaining to debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, loan facilities, and other corporate matters. Luckily, the issues I deal with are varied, so I am never bored and always learning.
2. Why did you go to law school?
My first job after college was at a bank and part of my duties involved working with legal counsel regarding real estate issues. Although I did not enjoy the work I was doing, I did like the transactional work I saw the lawyers doing and decided to apply to law school. I continued working at banks while I went to law school at night, which ended up being a great experience because I was able to see how the legal concepts I was learning about applied in actual business transactions. This helped me understand the connection between the law and business that I continue to use in my practice today.
3. You co-chair Fox Rothschild’s medical technology practice group. What do you enjoy about working with medtech companies? What traits or skills are important for a medtech lawyer to have?
I have always been interested in medicine and biology, along with business. Working with medical technology companies combines these interests in a way that is challenging and always interesting. Medtech companies have unique legal needs and those needs change based on the stage of the company, ranging from a start-up with an idea, to the development and testing of a medical device, to regulatory approval and commercialization. You need to address current needs, but also prepare for the future. This requires both creativity and nimbleness. It is also very rewarding to play a role in helping clients commercialize new medical technology that can save, extend, and improve lives.
4. If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?
I am fortunate to love what I do and I cannot think of anything that would suit me better.
5. You serve on the board of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Why is this organization meaningful to you?
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is a leader in cardiovascular research and is committed to improving the lives of all people through research and education. Because of my background in medical technology, MHIF’s mission of creating a world without heart and vascular disease really resonates with me.
6. How does wellness fit into your life? What do you do to stay healthy and manage stress?
Early in my legal career, I discovered that exercise was a key antidote to the stress that goes along with being an attorney. I started doing a Pilates-type workout called the Tracy Anderson Method and it has been a constant in my life for over a decade. Sometimes I am not able to get my workout in until 10:00 at night, but I never complete a session without feeling my stress level drop in half.
7. What is an ideal fall Saturday?
My ideal Saturday would include getting my workout in and then going on a hike or bike ride with my husband and kids, followed by dinner at Broders’ Pasta Bar or Revival.
8. Now that venues are opening up, who would you like to see in concert that you haven’t yet?
Definitely Willie Nelson. I’ve always been a fan of his music and songwriting, but now I find it inspiring that he remains so sharp and active well into his 80s.
9. If you could have coffee with any person from history, who would it be?
Notorious RBG. (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
10. Complete this sentence: Everyone who knows me knows I love …
To laugh, a lot! The people who office on either side of me probably need earplugs, but luckily, they never complain!