BASF’s 2014 membership theme is “You Make a Difference. We Make It Easier.” Rob Edesess, a BASF member, who is an in-house attorney at Thoratec Corporation is making a difference in the lives of those in our community. Leonard Lun, BASF’s Director of Membership, recently sat down with Rob to learn more about how he is making that difference and the role BASF plays in both his/her professional and personal lives.

Leonard Lun (LL): How long have you been an attorney and what type of law do you practice? 

Rob Edesess (RE): I practice Intellectual Property law, and if I include working as a patent agent while in law school, I can’t believe I just passed the 10-year mark.

LL: How long have you been a BASF member and why did you join?

RE: I joined BASF about six years ago, originally to meet other lawyers and be a part of a large, socially-minded legal community.

LL: BASF’s 2014 theme is “You Make a Difference. We Make It Easier.” Can you tell us how you make a difference in our community and how BASF makes it easier for you to do so?

RE: The broad menu of pro bono options by BASF has helped me find the right matches for my skills and schedule. I have also been able to find interesting projects from reviewing a nonprofit’s employee handbook to Project Homeless Connect.

LL: How have you made your BASF membership work for you?

RE: I have to admit I heavily rely on the extensive CLE programs offered by BASF (including webcasts) now that I’m an in-house lawyer.

LL: What has been your favorite BASF or Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) event you attended and why?

RE: JDC’s Eviction Defense Project because it challenged me to think on my feet and allowed me to impact somebody’s life in an immediate and meaningful way.

LL: What is your “dream job”?

RE: I love my job, but I guess I would say starting a nonprofit in Oakland to help entrepreneurial youth and young adults try their hand in a small, local business.

LL: Would you recommend BASF membership to other attorneys?

RE: Of course. It’s a chance to be a part of a truly unique legal community of which we can all be proud.

Share your story of how you make a difference and how BASF makes it easier for you. Contact Leonard Lun, Director of Membership, at llun@sfbar.org.

Don’t forget to renew your membership for 2014! Visit www.sfbar.org/join!