Judith Hasko, Latham & Watkins. (Courtesy photo)

Judith Hasko, the vice chair of the health care and life sciences practice at Latham & Watkins, represented Japan's Daiichi Sankyo Co. in a $6.9 billion global agreement with AstraZeneca to co-develop and commercialize a new antibody-drug product for cancer treatment. Hasko, who is being recognized as one of 21 Women Leaders in Tech Law as part of The Recorder's California Leaders in Tech Law and Innovation Awards, recently reflected on her accomplishments of the past year.

What's your proudest professional achievement of the past year and why?

I am proud to have advised clients on several special, complex transactions to enable treatments for critical human diseases, such as Daiichi's collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop an antibody-drug conjugate for use in many types of cancer, Agenus' collaboration with Gilead to progress up to five potential treatments for cancer, and Tizona's strategic alliance with AbbVie to develop antibodies targeting a particular cancer-related molecule. My clients put their talents, energy and funding into creating opportunities for novel therapies, and I am able to assist them in obtaining additional significant funding and complementary capabilities and expertise through collaborations.

What's your proudest personal achievement of the past year and why?

In addition to the personal gratification I get from completing a deal for an innovative client, I also had a major family achievement recently: Organizing a destination birthday celebration for my husband with 12 other family members traveling from four states, without losing anyone or their luggage en route. It was a huge effort but led to a wonderful experience creating lifelong memories for all attending.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a woman starting out in tech law?

Find an area of technology law that motivates you, and then learn as much as you can from more experienced attorneys about how to become a trusted legal counsel, and from your clients about their business and goals. Tech law is challenging because it requires understanding the relevant technology and the clients' operating environment while developing the ability to provide solid legal counsel in an ever-changing technical and legal world. But importantly, it is a fun and rewarding area of law so try it out!

What concrete steps could be made to increase the number of women in tech law?

There are many steps that could make a difference. Reaching out to law schools to identify women law students inclined toward technology-related interests, and enabling them to understand the practice and encouraging them to pursue tech law. Senior attorneys can provide opportunities for more junior women attorneys to explore directly the practice and demonstrate their abilities through engagement on a range of transactions with various types of clients. Companies and firms can provide support for diversity and inclusion programs, and career guidance and mentoring programs.