Dr. Rutenberg received dual Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics/Computer Science from the Colorado School of Mines, as well as a PhD in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. His graduate research advisor was Robert H. Grubbs, and his graduate research focused on new methods for producing high-performance polymer materials. Dr. Rutenberg finished the degree in 2004, and in 2005 Prof. Grubbs was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Dr. Rutenberg also obtained a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law in May 2011. He is registered to practice law in California, and is also registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Dr. Rutenberg has authored articles for a variety of publications and spoken at numerous conferences in Kenya, primarily focusing on practical aspects of intellectual property (IP). He continuously advocates for Kenyan organizations and individuals to expand their use of worldwide IP systems.

In addition to his affiliation with Strathmore Law School, Dr. Rutenberg is currently a practicing patent attorney with Science & Technology Law Group (www.sci-tech.com). His practice includes patent prosecution, due diligence, and preparation of legal opinions (patentability, validity, and freedom to operate) for subject matter that included chemistry, materials science, polymers, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, drug delivery, medical devices, and electronic devices. His practice includes all aspects of patent prosecution, including US and foreign prosecution.

  • Author: “Finding your Hidden Intellectual Property Assets,” The Exchange (The Official Magazine of the East African Securities Exchanges), Third Quarter, 2012.
  • Author: “Intellectual Property and the Startup Company,” The Exchange, First Quarter, 2012.
  • Author: “Intellectual Property in an Economic Slowdown,” The Exchange, Third Quarter, 2011.
  • Author: “Social Media – the new Intellectual Property,” The Exchange, Second Quarter, 2011.
  • Author: "Encouraging Innovation with Patents," Management Magazine (a publication of the Kenyan Institute of Management), November 2010.
  • Author: "Understanding Intellectual Property," special publication for the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya 14th Annual Conference, August, 2010, pp. 21-23.
  • Author: “Idea Money: Attracting Investment to Developing Countries Using Intellectual Property,” The Exchange, Second Quarter, 2009, pp. 37-38.
  • Author: “Idea Money: Intellectual Property: Protecting Assets, Attracting Investment,“ The Exchange, First Quarter, 2009, pp. 42-43.
  • Author: “Idea Money: The Link Between Intellectual Property and Investment,“ The Exchange, Third Quarter, 2008, pp. 41-43
  • Co-author: "Synthesis of polymer dielectric layers for organic thin film transistors via Surface-Initiated Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126(13), 4062-4063.
  • Co-author: "Direct synthesis of soluble, end-functionalized polyenes and polyacetylene block-copolymers." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125(28), 8515-8522.
  • Co-author: "Synthesis of A,B-alternating copolymers by ring-opening-insertion-metathesis polymerization." Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 3839.
  • Co-inventor: U.S. Pat. No. 6,987,154, "Ring expansion of cyclic olefins by olefin metathesis reactions with an acyclic diene and ring-opening polymerization of the cyclic olefins,” Also filed as PCT Appl. WO 2003-US5207 (2003)
  • Registered Patent Agent with Kenya Industrial Property Institute.
  • Registered Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Registered Attorney with the California State Bar Association