Co-Chair - Life Sciences Practice Group

Representative Experience
Represents U.S. and foreign universities, academic medical centers, research institutes and foundations; medical device, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, consumer products, environmental engineering and media companies; and unaffiliated inventors in all areas of intellectual property counseling and protection

Procures domestic and foreign patents; particularly in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences as well as a wide range of consumer products

Counsels clients on planning and portfolio analysis for patent protection, including strategic review of technologies’ commercial potential; in the enforcement of patent rights; and in the defense of infringement allegations

Drafts and negotiates commercial transactions involving intellectual property, including technology licenses and acquisition agreements between and within the non-profit and for-profit sectors, collaborative/sponsored research agreements, employment/consulting agreements, product distribution agreements, material transfer agreements, and confidentiality agreements

Advises on the creation of start-up and spin-off companies, and coordinates the transfer and licensing of intellectual property in such matters

Serves as outside general counsel to technology companies

Conducts intellectual property due diligence investigations in connection with commercial transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and the establishment of strategic business alliances

Counsels clients in trademark portfolio analysis, prosecution, and enforcement

Counsels clients in copyright matters, including the protection of artistic designs, publications, and software

Prior Experience
Associate, Pillsbury Winthrop LLP

Patent Clerk, Johnson & Johnson

Memberships and Activities
California State Bar

Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Vice President, Board of Directors, HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA)

American Bar Association AIDS Coordinating Committee

American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Leadership Advisory Board

American Health Lawyers Association, Vice Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group

Education
J.D., University of Southern California, 2001

B.S., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, cum laude, Cornell University, 1998

Awards
Inaugural recipient of the University of Southern California Law School Paul Davis Memorial Award for outstanding leadership in pro bono work

Recipient of 2005 Jack Berman Award of Achievement from the California State Bar, recognizing a young lawyer who has provided outstanding service to the legal profession and public, as well as dedication to issues of concern to new and young lawyers

Recipient of American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division “Star of the Year” award in 2002 and 2006; recipient of “Star of the Quarter” award in 2004, 2005 and 2007

Four-time recipient of the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the California State Bar