Wolff puts JD/MBA to use at Sarcos Robotics

Iron Man’s signature look could soon become more of a reality in industrial work environments and the defense sector. Sarcos Robotics products, including the Guardian® XO® powered exoskeleton, could have come straight from the Marvel Universe.

Sarcos makes robotic systems to enable the workforce with solutions enhancing productivity, reducing injuries and equalizing employment opportunities for jobs that can’t be automated. Julie Wolff JD/MBA’95 has been chief legal officer for Sarcos since 2015.

“Giving back, saving lives, supporting the military and preventing injuries of workers, in addition to the business opportunity of bringing products to market,” Wolff explains, “made working with Sarcos appealing.”

The company’s products have won awards and the attention of government entities and manufacturers. The Guardian® XO®, expected to launch commercially in late 2022, was named one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Inventions of 2020.” After spending the majority of her law career in mergers and acquisitions, Wolff welcomed the development that came with the switch from practicing at a firm to being a corporate general counsel. It’s exciting to be more hands-on, working on the business and legal sides, she says.

As a teen, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer. She attended Willamette specifically for its JD/MBA program and says it prepared her well for the transactionally focused job.

“Willamette really focuses on being a holistic thinker, thinking through all issues. That was key at the start of practicing law,” she explains. “Going forward, the combination of the JD/MBA allowed me to do due diligence in a meaningful way to get a broader view of a company rather than looking at contracts. It gave me a wide lens instead of a narrowly focused lens.

“My JD/MBA has helped me consider all relevant issues and make sure my t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted.”

Guardian® XO® exoskeleton

Photo courtesy of Sarcos Robotics