From clean and renewable energy, oil and gas and fuel cells to pharmaceuticals and seed oils, Jan keeps an eye on the future as she advises clients on protecting and monetizing their intellectual property assets.

Overview

A registered patent attorney with a Ph.D. in chemistry, Jan focuses her considerable experience on the development, management and enforcement of worldwide patent portfolios. Jan's diverse experience and scientific background helps her navigate competitive and evolving technologies in the clean energy, renewable energy, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and chemical industries.

Jan's comprehensive understanding of the value of her client's patents and the underlying science combine to make her an invaluable business partner. For clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and universities, she develops strategies to provide IP protection in the U.S. and in foreign countries, conducts due diligence for business transactions and prepares opinions on infringement and validity. She counsels on freedom-to-operate for clients' commercial products, and has experience in challenging the validity of competitor's patents and patent applications at the USPTO and in foreign jurisdictions.

Experience

Counselled start-up company developing enzyme immobilization technology for use in carbon capture and biofuel cell products by procuring IP protection in the US and foreign jurisdictions and providing freedom-to-operate analysis for lead products and processes.

Prepared and prosecuted patents in the US and foreign jurisdictions for a start-up pharmaceutical company for a polymeric potassium-binding drug from the discovery phase through FDA approval and supported ANDA litigation in the US and market authorization in several foreign jurisdictions.

Prepared legal opinions to support Paragraph IV certifications for Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) under the Hatch-Waxman Act.

Procured patent protection for agents for enhancing and improving methods of oil and gas recovery.

Procured patent protection for processes for preparing seed oils having high concentrations of highly unsaturated fatty acids and uses of the seed oils in food products.

Drafted and filed IPR on behalf of a start-up carbon capture company resulting in invalidation of several patent claims.

Challenged the validity of patents and opposed grant of patent applications in the US, China, and Europe.

Worked with clients in a wide range of technologies, including fuel cells, therapeutic polymer potassium-binding agents and phosphate-binding agents, small organic molecules for treating pain, cancer and other indications, contrast agents for use in MRI imaging, herbicide formulations, bioactive glass and bionanocomposites as hernia and knee ligament grafts.

Worked as an area chemist at the DuPont Company, providing analytical and process chemistry support for an agricultural chemical manufacturing plant in La Porte, Texas.

Taught chemistry as an assistant professor of chemistry at College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas.

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "The Grit and Growth Mindset: Traits of Successful Lawyers," John Marshall Law School Chicago, IL, March 2019

Course Planner and Moderator, "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Patent Case Law, A Year in Review," ABA 31st Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, Bethesda, MD, April 2016

Presenter, "Strategic Patent Portfolio and Lifecycle Development for Pharma & Biotech," Knowledge Group Webinar, March 2016

Course Planner and Moderator, "Patent Legislation 2.0: Patent System Improvement?" ABA 29th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, Arlington, VA, April 2014

Publications

"Is the Big Blue Marble Getting Greener?" Landslide, pg. 22, September-October 2011

Recognitions

Recognitions

Biotechnology Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, 2017-2024

  • Lawyer of the Year in Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice in St. Louis, 2020

Rising Star, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer®, 2009-2010

Top St. Louis Lawyers for Your Small Business, St. Louis Small Business Monthly, 2009, 2011, and 2014

Professional & Civic Activities

Professional & Civic Activities

Women's Foundation of Greater Saint Louis

  • Co-Chair, Advisory Council, 2018-present
  • Member of the Board of Directors, 2008-2015
    • Board President, 2013-2014
    • Chair of the Grants Committee, 2009-2012

Network for Strong Communities (NSC)

  • Member of the Board of Directors, 2017-present
    • Board Chairperson, 2018-present

American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section

  • Member of the CLE Board, 2014-present
    • Vice Chair of CLE Board, 2017-present
    • Spring Conference Program Co-Chair - Patents, 2014-2016
  • Member of Council, 2014-2018
  • Young Lawyer Fellow Selection Committee, 2009-present
    • Chair, 2013-2019
  • Member of Membership Board, 2010-2014
    • Vice Chair of Membership Board, 2011-2014
  • Member of Patent Legislation Committee, 2008-present
    • Chair of Patent Legislation Committee, 2013-2014
    • Vice Chair of Patent Legislation Committee, 2011-2013

Admissions

  • Missouri, 2002
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2004 

Education

University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2002

  • Order of the Coif

University of Colorado at Boulder, Ph.D., Chemistry, 1990

Cornell College, B.A., cum laude, 1986 

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