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University of Texas at Austin
Grayson is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies with concentrations in Russia & Eurasian Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. During her time at UT, she was named to the Dean’s List and completed a capstone project analyzing Chinese foreign direct investment strategies across Sub-Saharan Africa. She also studied abroad in Barcelona where she focused on international security and policy from a European perspective.
Grayson is particularly interested in the intersection of law, international policy, and emerging technologies. She hopes to continue building experience in legal research, compliance, and global affairs as she prepares for law school.
This week marked the beginning of my time at Lloyd and Mousilli as a Research Assistant. I had a great first week and have truly enjoyed getting to know everyone. From the start, the team has been incredibly kind and generous with their time, whether helping me get set up, providing context on current projects, or simply checking in to see how things were going. Their support made a big difference and helped me feel more confident diving into the work! I’m excited for what’s ahead and already feel fortunate to be learning from such an intelligent and collaborative group.
The week began with onboarding meetings with the team. On Wednesday, I met with Feras, Megan, and Allie to discuss overarching goals and themes for the summer. This largely focused on research around Syrian sanctions, in addition to research on Ukrainian startup profiles. After the meeting, I began outlining content for my first major task: a presentation on Ukrainian startups for the upcoming International Round Table on June 12. On Thursday, I continued developing that outline and had the opportunity to learn more about Mosquitter, a long-time L&M client focused on mosquito control technology. I also joined a consultation with the Managing Director of Startup Syria to explore potential collaborations and better understand the implications for Syrian startups operating through U.S.-based entities. By Friday, I had completed the Ukrainian startup profile outline and shifted to researching three Houston-based companies featured in LexisNexis’s “10 Most Innovative Startups in Texas” report. Two of the three focus on geothermal energy, an unexpected but very interesting area that challenged my assumptions about innovation in the energy sector.
One piece of advice I’d give to anyone starting this role is to use your first week to establish a daily routine that works for you. Having some consistency in how you structure your day, whether it's when you check emails, do research, or join meetings, can make a big difference in staying focused and organized. While the rhythm will shift based on project needs, having a reliable structure helped me feel more in control and made the workload much more manageable.
This week came with a little bit of everything, IP research, article writing, and a deep dive into international compliance. I’m starting to find my rhythm, and it’s been exciting to see how each task ties into real-world legal and business challenges! From learning more about trademark databases to exploring the nuances of sanctions law, no two days have felt the same.
I spent a good portion of the week researching trademark filings and patents for the three Houston-based startups I looked into last week. Sam, one of our associate attorneys, generously gave me a crash course on efficient trademark searching, something I had very little experience with prior to this. This was very intimidating at first, but thanks to his guidance, I now know how to quickly navigate U.S. trademark databases and organize the results in a clear, easy-to-manage Excel spreadsheet.
This week was also largely dedicated to writing an article for the Lloyd & Mousilli website on Senate Bill 2411, a recently passed piece of legislation that amends several provisions of the Texas Business Organizations Code. Through this assignment, I learned a lot more about how state laws impact the way corporations conduct business, especially when it comes to governance, shareholder rights, and startup financing. It was a valuable opportunity to dive deeper into legal writing and sharpen my ability to explain technical reforms in a clear, accessible way. I focused on highlighting the bill’s key provisions, such as officer exculpation, streamlined procedures for amending certificates of formation, and new rules for pre-formation equity subscriptions. The article helped me better understand the role of legal updates in strategic decision-making for businesses and how firms like ours translate legislative changes into guidance for entrepreneurs and investors.
Following the first two tasks, I continued my research into Syrian startups, with a more focused lens on General License 25 (GL25) and its relevance to our firm’s potential work in the region. I reviewed recent guidance and secondary sources to better understand the scope of permissible transactions under GL25, particularly as they relate to technology development, financial services, and corporate structuring involving U.S. persons. As part of this, I compiled a preliminary list of experts, organizations, and legal practitioners with experience navigating OFAC regulations and cross-border compliance issues. The goal was to identify potential contacts the firm could reach out to for insight or collaboration, especially those familiar with operational and fundraising challenges facing Syrian entrepreneurs working under U.S. legal entities. This research is still ongoing, but it was helpful to find potential points of contact!
Don’t be afraid to dive into areas you’re unfamiliar with! Before this week I had little to no prior knowledge on researching trademarks, but after this week I have developed a great foundation. A lot of what you’ll do here involves learning by doing, especially at the beginning, and the team is incredibly supportive when you have questions. I also recommend keeping your research organized from the start (spreadsheets are your friend!) and making note of helpful contacts or resources as you go. The work is fast-paced and varied, but that’s what makes it so rewarding!
This week was a really exciting one, filled with both writing and research! I had the chance to take my Ukrainian startup presentation to the next level by turning it into a full article for the International Roundtable, and I also started exploring new opportunities abroad that could lead to future collaborations for Feras. Between refining my first published piece ever and diving into international research, it was a great mix of different opportunities.
This week, I drafted an article for the International Roundtable based on my earlier presentation on Ukrainian startup profiles. Early in the week, I met with Feras and Megan to go over the article’s technical requirements, which gave me a super helpful foundation before diving in! Once I finished the initial draft, I spent time revising and refining it, learning a lot in the process about how research papers are structured, including how to format references properly. I also created a chart for the piece in Excel and took the opportunity to expand on the original presentation by analyzing the material a bit more deeply. As part of the process for this project, I made an ORCID account so the research could be formally attributed to me, which was especially exciting since this will be my first published piece of research! Overall this project was an absolute blast. I learned so much and really enjoyed the entire process. I am already looking forward to future opportunities like this one!
After wrapping up the paper on Ukrainian startup profiles, I began researching potential opportunities for Feras in Istanbul, Turkey, and nearby regions. I spent some time looking into upcoming conferences in the area and also dug into networks of Fulbright alumni who might still be in the area. Right now, I’m continuing to reach out to law schools in the region about the possibility of Feras doing a guest lecture, something I’m excited to continue building on! In addition to this, I am also going to continue to keep an eye out for more potential conferences as well.
When you are working on a pretty big research project, it can be tempting to just power through and get it all done in one go, especially if you are excited about the topic. But I learned this week just how important it is to take breaks and step back from work every so often. Giving myself a little space helped me catch things I would have missed otherwise and made the final product a lot stronger. It’s okay (and actually helpful) to pace yourself… you don’t have to finish everything in one sitting to do a great job!
This week gave me the chance to look into some really interesting topics! On one hand, I wrapped up outreach research tied to Istanbul’s academic community, finishing an excel sheet of law professors at top law schools in the area. On the other hand, I started learning about the Amazon APEX program, an alternative route for patent enforcement! Each project helped me to sharpen my research skills while also deepening my understanding of how legal knowledge connects to real-world business needs!
This week began with continued research on potential contacts in Istanbul. I wrapped up my search by identifying professors at several top law schools in the area and compiling a spreadsheet with their email addresses, credentials, and university information. I was genuinely surprised by how many law schools are located in Istanbul, it's a much larger academic hub than I was previously aware of!
This week I also began researching the Amazon APEX program for Megan. This program is a way for startups with U.S. utility patents to address disputes quickly and cost-effectively. After gathering initial background information, I compiled detailed bullet-point notes covering every aspect of the program, including how it works, who can use it, potential risks and benefits, and how it might apply to clients we support. Using those notes, I drafted an article for the Lloyd & Mousilli website aimed at helping current and prospective clients better understand how the APEX program could serve their business needs.
Digging into the APEX program made me realize how valuable this tool can be for startups that have invested in a U.S. utility patent, but don’t have the resources for traditional litigation. It helped me better understand real-world tension between securing IP protection and actually being able to enforce it (especially for early-stage companies facing copycat products online). It was interesting to see how Amazon has created an alternative path that, while not perfect, offers a great practical solution to these types of disputes. The research also raised important questions about access, strategy, and how startups can be more proactive in protecting their innovations without spreading themselves thin! This was very cool to learn about!
One major takeaway from this week was how important it is to think beyond the surface level when researching. Megan challenged me to not just gather information, but to ask how it could be relevant for the kinds of clients we’re working with. That guidance pushed me to reframe how I approached the APEX research, along with the article I wrote, not just as a neutral overview, but as a tool that could have real impact for startups navigating patent challenges. It helped me dig deeper and focus on the practical value of each piece of information I found. Moving forward, I’m going to bring this mindset into all of my research: thinking critically about how the information I gather can be applied, who it might benefit, and how it fits into a bigger picture. It’s a seemingly small shift in approach, but one that makes a big difference! I recommend staying open to shifting your perspective on the tasks you do because it opens up different and important ways of looking at the work you are doing.
I started the week by meeting with Yasmin and Ghallia for our first debrief conversation and we decided to start doing these weekly! It was such a fun and productive check in, and I’m excited to keep the momentum going. Following this meeting, the rest of the week was a great mix of creativity and deeper research! I had the chance to kick off a new project for the All-Teams meeting next week and dive into some legal analysis around AI and state-specific laws. It felt like everything I’ve been working on this summer is starting to connect in meaningful ways, and I really enjoyed getting to apply what I’ve learned across different types of projects.
This week I began working on a new project for the upcoming All-Teams meeting, a 60 second legal video! After submitting my proposal and receiving approval, I jumped into outlining the 60-second presentation. My chosen topic was “Why U.S. Legal Protection Benefits Global Startups,” which felt like a perfect way to bring together many of the themes I’ve been learning about and working on this summer. It was fun to take a step back and think about how all the research I’ve done (from Ukrainian startup resilience to intellectual property tools) fits into a bigger picture. Framing it as a quick, engaging video also challenged me to be concise and intentional with my messaging, which was also a great exercise!!
Along with the work I began on the 60 second legal presentation, this week I also received feedback on a few of my ongoing projects and used that to revise the article I wrote on Senate Bill 2411. Megan sent over some updated information, which I was able to incorporate! I really enjoyed getting the chance to revisit this project, it was a great reminder that the work is dynamic and evolving, and it ensures everything in the article remains as accurate and current as possible.
Lastly, this week I spent time developing a comprehensive table of key state laws related to AI and digital replicas for Megan! I created an Excel sheet outlining nine states and their most recent legislation in this area, including how each law works and what it means in practice. It was a great research exercise and will feed into an upcoming project Megan is working on.
One thing I was reminded of this week is how important it is to be patient with the creative process, especially when brainstorming. When I first started thinking about my 60 second legal video, I went through a lot of trial and error trying to land on a topic that felt both relevant and true to the work I’ve been doing . It can be frustrating when nothing clicks right away, but I’ve learned that giving yourself space to think (and not forcing the idea too quickly) really does pay off. Trust yourself, stay curious, and the right idea will come to you… it just might take a few failed ideas to get there!
This week felt like a turning point in my summer experience. From wrapping up a creative project that brought together so many of the skills I’ve built, to attending the All-Hands Meeting and diving into upcoming projects, I was able to reflect on how much I’ve learned, and how excited I am for what’s next. Each task this week gave me a deeper understanding of both the legal work we do and the collaborative, fast-paced environment that makes Lloyd & Mousilli so dynamic. I left this week feeling more confident in my voice, more connected to the firm’s broader mission, and even more motivated to contribute meaningfully in the weeks ahead.
The first project I completed this week was a 60-second legal video for our All-Hands Meeting on Wednesday, themed “Why Do Global Startups Benefit from U.S. Legal Protection?” This was such a fun and rewarding project that allowed me to apply skills I’ve developed throughout the summer. The final video was played for the entire firm during the meeting and turned out great, especially with the help of Allie’s editing! This project pushed me to think critically about how to distill complex legal ideas into something clear, engaging, and digestible. It reminded me how important it is to communicate legal concepts in ways that make sense to a broader audience, especially when working with startups that may not have legal experience. It was also really meaningful to see something I worked so hard on shared with the entire firm.
I also had the opportunity to attend the firm-wide All-Hands Meeting. It was a fantastic way to learn more about what each team is working on and to see the wide variety of passions and expertise across the firm. I really enjoyed both participating in the event and watching everyone’s presentations. It was a great experience, overall. Being able to see the full scope of what Lloyd & Mousilli is involved in made me realize how collaborative and mission-driven the firm really is. It was encouraging to feel like a valued member of that bigger picture and to hear how other team members approach their work with such creativity and dedication. It reminded me why I’m so drawn to this kind of fast-paced, legal environment.
Following the All Hands meeting, I met with Megan, Allie, and Feras to discuss themes and upcoming projects for the remainder of the summer. There are some exciting developments ahead! This catch-up meeting left me energized and eager to dive into the next phase of work. Right after our discussion, I began drafting an outline for one of the Syria-focused projects, which I’ll continue working on next week. This meeting made me realize how much I’ve grown over the summer, not just in terms of research skills, but in being able to contribute meaningfully to conversations about direction and strategy. I’m especially excited to work on the upcoming Syrian project! It’s a perfect fit with my academic background and long-term interests, and I’m looking forward to digging in deeper over the next few weeks.
One big lesson I took away this week was the importance of patience, especially when things don’t go smoothly the first (or twentieth) time. When I was recording the legal video, I kept stumbling over my words or getting frustrated with little things that didn’t feel “perfect.” It honestly took what felt like a million tries to get a version I was happy with, and at times I caught myself getting impatient and second-guessing the whole thing. But in the end, all of that effort paid off, the final product turned out even better than I expected, and I felt proud knowing I didn’t settle. So if you're ever in a spot where things feel tedious or you're tempted to give up after a few failed attempts, take a breath and stick with it. Sometimes a little bit of perfectionism and a lot of patience really do go a long way.
The past week brought a great blend of research and connection. I had the chance to dig into some complex international developments, while also spending time with colleagues in both formal and informal settings. Between outlining content for the firm’s new Damascus section, joining exciting external meetings, and catching up with team members, it felt like an extremely well-rounded week!
This week was primarily focused on developing a comprehensive outline on General License 25 and the major regulatory shifts in Syria following the lifting of U.S. sanctions. I was able to complete the outline and then hop on a call with Feras to review it together. His feedback was super helpful in identifying some areas for clarification and expansion! After our discussion, I began shaping the outline into a more article-style piece that will live on the website’s new Damascus section. It’s been really rewarding to see how my research can evolve into something publishable and informative for others.
On Wednesday I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Sam and Malaak for dinner in Boston! It was such a great time and an even better chance to build more personal connections with people from the firm. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them better outside of Slack. Moments like this remind me how special it is to be part of such a collaborative, people-first team. On top of that, I had my weekly check-in with Ghallia and Yasmin, where we caught up on what each of us had been working on. I love how connected and communicative the team has felt lately, it’s such a great environment to grow in!
Midweek, I also had the chance to join an introductory meeting with two of the heads of the Ukrainian Startup fund, alongside Megan and Feras. This was an incredible experience. It was exciting to see the intersection of our firm’s mission with organizations like USF, and I really hope to stay involved in future conversations and collaboration efforts. Hearing directly from their leadership added a whole new layer of context to the work we’ve been doing, especially regarding Ukrainian startup research.
Something I’d really encourage is taking the time to get to know the team members at the firm. Everyone brings something unique to the table, whether it’s an academic background, a past project, or a totally unexpected side interest. Conversations that start with work often end up leading to really thoughtful, interesting discussions. Whether it’s over a dinner, a check-in, or just a casual Slack message, those moments of connection make a huge difference. The more you invest in those relationships, the more you’ll get out of this experience, not just professionally, but personally too!
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