Career and work
Ergenzinger earned a PhD in neuroscience and a JD from Wake Forest University before building a career in patent law. He has practiced for more than 20 years, working with individual inventors, start-ups, research universities, and major companies on intellectual-property matters. [3][2]
He is the founder and principal of Ergenzinger Intellectual Property Law and serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law, where he teaches Mental Health and the Legal Profession. [3][2][4]
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Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Ed Ergenzinger“About” First-person professional and mental-health biography covering his Bipolar I disorder diagnosis, history of treatment for depression and anxiety, severe mania and depression, disability, bankruptcy, recovery, and return to legal practice.
Wake Forest University School of Law“Edward Ergenzinger” Current faculty biography covering his patent-law career, adjunct teaching, Bipolar I disorder, period of unemployment and disability, return to practice, and mental-health advocacy roles.
Ergenzinger Intellectual Property Law“Ed Ergenzinger, JD, PhD” Professional biography covering his neuroscience and legal education, patent practice, teaching appointments, clients, speaking engagements, and current roles.
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Wake Forest University School of Law“Practicing What They Teach” Profiles Ergenzinger’s work as an adjunct professor teaching Mental Health and the Legal Profession and includes his views on help-seeking and mental health within legal careers.
Psychology Today“Inside My Manic Mind: Delusions and Hyper-Religiosity” A detailed first-person account of Ergenzinger’s manic episode, psychosis, severe sleep loss, delusions, initial resistance to treatment, and response to medication.
Psychology TodayEd Ergenzinger author profile Summarizes his experience of Bipolar I disorder, severe mania and depression, unemployment, bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, and later return to legal practice.
Psychology Today“Beyond Self-Care: Workplace Approaches to Mental Health” A first-person essay in which Ergenzinger reflects on bipolar disorder, psychiatric hospitalization, disability, returning to law, and structural approaches to workplace mental health.
Psychology Today“Rethinking Emergency Response to Mental Health Crises” A first-person article in which Ergenzinger discusses his experiences during psychiatric crises and alternatives to traditional police responses.
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Recommended books and other resources about Ed Ergenzinger and their experiences.
- “Faith, God, and Dopamine”WebMD
A first-person essay in which Ergenzinger describes religious and grandiose beliefs during his most severe manic episode and reflects on bipolar disorder, mania, and spirituality.
- “Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in Technology Transfer”AUTM on the Air
A podcast discussion featuring Ergenzinger on mental health in high-pressure professions, workplace stigma, leadership, and lessons from his own experience.
- “BarCARES Leadership on Lawyer Well-Being: Ed Ergenzinger”North Carolina Bar Association
A Q&A in which Ergenzinger discusses lawyer well-being, asking for help, his experience working while unwell, and the importance of not confusing high functioning with good mental health.