Brhea D'Mello, a second-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law, exemplifies the unique blend of engineering and legal expertise vital in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. After earning degrees in electrical and computer engineering from Johns Hopkins University, D'Mello worked as a firewall engineer at Cisco before deciding to pursue a legal degree.
"I knew I wanted to be a patent attorney since my senior year of high school," said D'Mello. Her early interests in intellectual property law were deepened while working as an intern at an IP firm in Mumbai as a freshman in college.
"I wanted to fully immerse myself in engineering before law school, so I pursued degrees in electrical and computer engineering," she explains. After two years at Cisco handling high-severity cases for major corporations, D'Mello recognized her desire to engage with a broader range of innovations. "I realized I wanted to help inventors protect their ideas," she said, highlighting the pivotal moment that led her to Miami Law.
Since arriving at the School of Law, D'Mello has embraced the school's rich experiences. "Law school has been incredible. Every class I've taken has reaffirmed that I made the right decision," she said. One standout experience has been her involvement in the Miami Law & AI Lab, where she works closely with Or Cohen-Sasson, who directs the lab. "It's been inspiring to watch how he has built this program." D'Mello manages the lab's website and participates in the AI & Law Practicum, gaining hands-on exposure to cutting-edge legal challenges within the evolving fields of artificial intelligence and law.
D'Mello's work in the AI Lab has enriched her academic experience and provided practical applications of her skills. "Working under Professor Cohen-Sasson, I've explored AI regulation, policy, and legal applications in real-world scenarios," she said.
These experiences culminated in her participation and first-place win in the prestigious MIT AI Negotiation BOT Competition, a global event with 200 participants from over 40 countries. "I integrated top negotiation techniques from Professor Dennis Klein's mediation class to create a bot that could strategically negotiate in dynamic scenarios," she said. "Winning first place overall was surreal, especially given the level of competition. It was even more exciting to have my work discussed at the AI Negotiation Summit in Boston, where top professionals in the field gathered to explore AI's role in negotiation."
D'Mello was invited to the AI Negotiation Summit because of her success in the MIT competition. "It was one of the best networking events I've ever attended. It was so cool to see different disciplines—negotiation, law, computer science, and AI—come together to share ideas and push these fields forward. It reinforced my passion for working at the intersection of technology, law, and AI," she said.
Beyond the academic rigor and competitive accolades, the community at the School of Law has played a significant role in shaping D'Mello's journey. "It's great to be around students who are driven, passionate, and excited to make a difference," she said.
D'Mello is involved with several law school organizations, including the First-Generation Law Association, the Intellectual Property Law Society, and the Technology Club, and serves as a student ambassador for the South Asian Bar Association of Florida.
Looking to the future, D'Mello is eager to begin her career in intellectual property. This summer, she will work as a summer associate in the intellectual property department of Nixon Peabody's Chicago office. She is particularly excited about the firm's rapidly expanding patent team, emphasizing the importance of supporting and growing the IP practice. "My goal is to help innovators protect their ideas and navigate the evolving landscape of AI and patent law," she said.
Read more about Miami Law’s technology law area of study.
