Yi Wilkinson is an experienced intellectual property lawyer with strong technical background and extensive industry experience. She has significant experience in patent drafting and prosecution in 5G wireless communications, semiconductor materials and equipment, autonomous driving vehicles, telecommunication and laser technologies, medical devices, circuit designs and computer software. Yi works regularly with both domestic and international clients, including a number of Fortune 100 companies, mid-size and start-up companies. Yi has been selected to Northern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters) since 2023 and recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Technology Law since 2026.
Yi’s practice includes the entire patent life cycle, including identifying and harvesting invention ideas, conducting training seminars in patent application drafting, drafting and prosecuting patent applications with the USPTO. Yi has extensive experience in patent portfolio development strategies, noninfringement and invalidity analyses, freedom-to-operate analyses, and IP due diligence work in financing and acquisitions.
Yi’s strong technical background and considerable experience in industry and academic research allow her to quickly understand the complex technical aspects of the inventions and the business issues of the clients. Prior to becoming an attorney, Yi worked as a senior engineer for high-tech companies, including New Focus (telecommunication), KLA-Tencor (semiconductor), and Applied Biosystems (biotech). She was also an Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnic University for several years.
Yi received her J.D. from University of California Hastings College of Law after previously earning a Ph.D. in Optical Engineering and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Alabama in Huntsville. Before coming to the U.S., she received a B.S. in Optical Engineering and an M.S. in Electronic Physics from Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Helped build patent portfolio of startup companies in AI data centers, electrical and autonomous vehicles, and optical imaging devices.
- Drafted and prosecuted patent applications for Fortune 100 companies in wireless communications, information and communications technology, and e-commerce & technology.
- Assisted patent portfolio development and training for companies in semiconductor materials and equipment, telecommunication and laser technologies, and medical devices.
- Assisted companies in obtaining IP rights both in the US and globally.
- Performed patent noninfringement analysis, patent invalidity analyses, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
Professional & Civic Engagement
- American Bar Association
- California Bar Association
- Chinese American Lawyers of the Bay Area (CALOBA)
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
- UC Law (formerly UC Hastings) SF
- Intellectual Property Association (LIPA) Attorney Mentor Program
- Supervisor - Startup Legal Garage, for the University of California’s QB3 incubator startups
- ADAPT Legal Mentor Program
Honors & Awards
- Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), 2023 – Present
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® in Technology Law, 2026-Present
Thought Leadership
- Moderator, “The Future of IP Law: Policy, Globalization & Strategic Adaptation,” IIPLA 2025 USA, September 30, 2025
- Co-author, “USPTO Newest Discretionary Denials on Settled Expectations — Best Practices for Petitioners and Patent Owners”, WBD Client Alert, June 27, 2025
Languages
- Chinese
