Foley & Lardner LLP: Kristel Schorr

In the innovative and rapidly evolving sectors of life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset. For companies, researchers, and innovators in Washington D.C. striving to protect their groundbreaking discoveries, navigate complex patent landscapes, and ensure freedom to operate, having a highly specialized and scientifically astute legal partner is not just beneficial, but essential. This is precisely the expertise that Kristel Schorr, a distinguished partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, brings to the forefront. With a unique blend of legal acumen and a deep scientific background, Ms. Schorr stands as a pivotal resource for the District of Columbia’s vibrant life sciences community. Her presence offers local entities direct access to a national leader in intellectual property law, ensuring their innovations are robustly protected and strategically managed.

Kristel Schorr's practice is singularly focused on counseling life science clients regarding all aspects of intellectual property. Her expertise spans a wide range of critical services, including comprehensive due diligence analyses, providing validity, non-infringement, and freedom-to-operate opinions, and meticulously managing IP portfolios. She is also highly proficient in patent prosecution, guiding clients through the intricate process of securing patents, as well as handling complex post-grant and interference proceedings. Her role as a member of the firm's Partner Selection Committee and former chair of the firm's Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice further underscores her leadership and profound influence within the legal field.

What truly sets Ms. Schorr apart is her strong scientific foundation. Before embarking on her legal career, she earned a Ph.D. in Medical Physiology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with her graduate work focused on cancer biology, specifically the regulation of apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells. This deep scientific understanding allows her to connect with inventors and understand the technical nuances of their innovations, translating complex scientific concepts into compelling legal arguments. Her legal practice covers a broad spectrum of technical areas, including immunology, molecular and cell biology, protein chemistry, oligonucleotide therapeutics, oncology, genetics, diagnostic assays, small molecule pharmaceutical compositions, and drug delivery systems. Her work frequently involves biologics, such as antibodies and other large molecules, as well as the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. This specialized knowledge is invaluable for D.C.'s burgeoning biotech and health tech sectors.

Location and Accessibility

Kristel Schorr is based at Foley & Lardner LLP's Washington D.C. office, strategically located at 3000 K St NW Washington Harbour, Washington, DC 20007, USA. This prestigious address in the heart of the Georgetown waterfront district offers convenient and accessible proximity for clients across the District of Columbia. The Washington Harbour is a well-recognized landmark, making the office easy to locate for those visiting.

The firm’s location benefits from excellent public transportation options. It is within a reasonable distance of the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, which serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, and numerous bus routes operate in the immediate vicinity. For clients who prefer to drive, there are various parking facilities available around the Washington Harbour area. This central and easily reachable location underscores Foley & Lardner LLP’s dedication to providing accessible and professional legal services to their D.C. clientele, fostering a seamless experience for consultations and collaborative work on critical intellectual property matters.

Services Offered

• Intellectual Property Law: Comprehensive legal counsel on all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, particularly within the life sciences.
• Patent Prosecution: Guiding clients through the complex process of drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• IP Due Diligence: Conducting thorough intellectual property due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, licensing agreements, and other transactions to assess risk and value.
• Validity, Non-Infringement, and Freedom-to-Operate Opinions: Providing critical legal opinions to clients regarding the strength of their patents, potential infringement issues, and their ability to commercialize products without infringing on others' IP.
• IP Portfolio Management: Strategic advice on building, maintaining, and leveraging intellectual property portfolios to maximize their value and align with business objectives.
• Post-Grant & Interference Proceedings: Representation in post-grant challenges (e.g., Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), Covered Business Method (CBM) reviews) and interference proceedings at the USPTO.
• Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice: Specialized legal services for clients in these highly technical industries, leveraging a deep understanding of scientific principles.
• Health Care & Life Sciences: Integrated legal solutions for the broader healthcare and life sciences sectors, addressing regulatory, transactional, and IP issues.
• Health Tech & Genomics: Advising on cutting-edge legal issues related to health technology, genomic research, and personalized medicine.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IP: Counseling on intellectual property issues arising from the integration of AI into pharmaceutical research, diagnostics, and digital healthcare.
• Licensing & Transactional Work: Expertise in patent licensing and other IP-related transactional matters.

Features / Highlights

• Deep Scientific Background: Kristel Schorr holds a Ph.D. in Medical Physiology, providing her with an invaluable understanding of the complex scientific and technical aspects of her clients' innovations.
• Specialized IP Focus: Her practice is exclusively dedicated to intellectual property within the life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, offering highly concentrated expertise.
• Recognized Industry Leader: Acknowledged by reputable legal directories such as The Legal 500 for her patent prosecution work and patent licensing/transactional work.
• Former Chair of Practice Group: Served as the former chair of Foley & Lardner LLP's Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice, highlighting her leadership and influence.
• Comprehensive IP Lifecycle Support: Provides guidance on IP matters from initial conception and patenting to post-grant challenges and commercialization strategies.
• Experienced in Complex Litigation: Has represented clients in successful Inter Partes Reviews and interference proceedings, demonstrating her prowess in contested IP matters.
• Frequent Speaker and Author: Regularly shares insights on patent law, AI in life sciences, and other key IP developments at international conferences and through publications.
• Strategic and Practical Counsel: Known for delivering clear, actionable advice that aligns legal strategies with clients' business goals.
• Part of a Renowned Firm: As a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, clients benefit from the extensive resources, collaborative network, and national reputation of a full-service law firm.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly accomplished and specialized intellectual property attorney operating within a top-tier national law firm, Kristel Schorr, like other esteemed professionals at Foley & Lardner LLP, does not typically provide general consumer-oriented promotions or discounts. Her services are geared towards sophisticated corporate clients, research institutions, and innovators in the life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors who require expert, tailored legal strategies for their highly valuable intellectual property assets.

The core value proposition offered by Ms. Schorr is her unparalleled expertise, deep scientific understanding, and a proven track record of successfully navigating complex IP landscapes. Clients engage her for strategic guidance on patent prosecution, due diligence, litigation defense, and IP portfolio management, all of which are critical investments for innovation-driven entities. The long-term benefits of securing robust IP protection, avoiding costly infringements, and strategically leveraging intellectual assets far outweigh any short-term promotional offers. Potential clients in the District of Columbia should anticipate a professional consultation designed to assess their specific needs and demonstrate how Ms. Schorr’s specialized capabilities can provide significant value to their intellectual property endeavors.

Contact Information

For businesses, research institutions, and innovators in the District of Columbia’s life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors seeking expert intellectual property legal counsel, Kristel Schorr at Foley & Lardner LLP is readily available.

Address: 3000 K St NW Washington Harbour, Washington, DC 20007, USA

Phone: (202) 672-5574

Mobile Phone: +1 202-672-5574

Connecting with her Washington D.C. office will allow you to discuss your specific IP needs and discover how her unique blend of legal and scientific expertise can safeguard and advance your innovations.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For the innovative and research-driven ecosystem of the District of Columbia, particularly within the burgeoning life sciences, biotechnology, and health tech sectors, Kristel Schorr at Foley & Lardner LLP represents an exceptionally suitable and crucial legal resource. D.C. is increasingly becoming a hub for scientific advancement and entrepreneurial ventures in these highly specialized fields, and the protection of intellectual property is paramount to their success.

Ms. Schorr’s unique combination of a Ph.D. in Medical Physiology and extensive legal experience in patent prosecution, IP due diligence, and litigation within these precise industries directly addresses the core needs of local innovators. Her ability to grasp complex scientific details and translate them into effective legal strategies is a significant advantage for D.C.-based startups, established pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions. She understands the specific challenges of developing and protecting biologics, small molecule compounds, diagnostic assays, and even the IP implications of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

For any local entity looking to secure patents for a new drug, conduct freedom-to-operate analyses for a biotech product, or manage a complex IP portfolio, Kristel Schorr offers not just legal representation, but a strategic partnership. Her presence in the D.C. office of Foley & Lardner LLP ensures that local clients have convenient access to a leading expert whose work is at the cutting edge of intellectual property and life sciences law. This makes her an ideal choice for safeguarding the valuable innovations driving the District's scientific and economic growth.