Agency Through Voice
Belle Borovik brings a unique perspective to intellectual property law as a trained neuroscientist turned attorney. As a key member of the Robins Kaplan Intellectual Property and Technology Group, Belle represents clients in a broad range of intellectual property matters, focusing on the unique challenges at the intersection of frontier technologies and intellectual property law.
As an immigrant who arrived in the U.S. at thirteen, she learned right away that language could be both a barrier and a tool. In the process of learning English, she had a lasting revelation: there’s a difference between speaking and communicating.
But Belle's most profound expertise comes from a different kind of study—the meticulous process of learning to communicate across cultures and languages.
"Speaking is about words. Communicating is about clarity, nuance, timing, and connection," Belle reflects. "English is filled with subtle cues, layered meanings, and cultural rhythms that aren't written in any textbook. I realized that if I wanted to be heard—truly heard—I couldn't just speak. I had to learn to communicate."
This realization set Belle on a deliberate path of skill development. She practiced unfamiliar sounds, training new muscle movements. She studied cadence, pacing, and inflection—not merely to be understood, but to make meaning resonate. Most importantly, she learned to speak in ways that commanded attention and held it.
"It wasn't about assimilation or losing where I came from," she emphasizes. "It was about gaining access. It was about developing the kind of voice that could shape conversations, shift rooms, and open doors.”
Though Belle never participated in high school Speech and Debate, the need to advocate was always present, shaping her development in quieter ways.
“That’s what SVUDL gives students: power through language. Agency through voice. When I look at the mission of SVUDL, I see the path I had to carve out for myself and I think how much more direct that path could have been if I had had access to the kind of resources and mentorship SVUDL provides,” she emphasized.
Law school transformed that foundation into strategic advocacy. Belle joined Moot Court and discovered her passion for structured, strategic argument.
At the University of San Francisco School of Law, the Advocate of the Year competition is a major milestone. She approached it with total focus. She rewrote her brief until every sentence held up under pressure. She ran arguments out loud alone, with classmates, and with her family.
Belle won the competition, opening doors that led to her first legal position, where she met the mentor who shaped her current path at Robins Kaplan.
For the early rounds, she focused all her energy on the side she felt most aligned with. “But in the final round, I lost the coin toss and got the side I hadn’t prepared for, and didn’t agree with. So, I started over. I rebuilt the argument from a different angle, and learned a powerful lesson: strong advocacy isn’t just about defending what you believe. It’s about understanding what others believe and making space for logic, even where instinct resists,” she remembered.
Belle sees Speech and Debate skills as lifetime tools that extend far beyond competition or courtroom. "These skills teach you how to listen thoughtfully, think critically, and speak purposefully—valuable in every part of life."
The impact goes deeper than winning arguments. "It's about learning how to build them. Learning how to be understood. And perhaps most importantly, learning how to advocate for others, not just yourself."
"Potential doesn't flourish on its own—it needs opportunity, structure, and guidance to take root," Belle explains. "SVUDL provides exactly that, equipping students with the skills, support, and space they need to grow into confident thinkers, speakers, and change-making leaders."
The partnership represents shared values. "At Robins Kaplan, we believe advocacy is both skill and responsibility. SVUDL's work mirrors our commitment to developing strategic thinkers who use their voices to drive progress."
Thank you Robins Kaplan for your generous support of Words to the Wise 2025!
