Michael Fitzpatrick is a senior regulatory lawyer at General Electric, but rather than be buried in briefs and bureaucracy all day, Fitzpatrick’s work at the Boston-based company is the stuff of science fiction.

Fitzpatrick’s job—officially GE’s head of regulatory advocacy—is to help clear the way for GE innovations in such areas as the Internet of things. He often works closely with outside counsel, Lisa Ellman, a partner at Hogan Lovells. Both are based in Washington, D.C.