Foley & Lardner LLP: Michele M. Simkin

In the highly competitive and innovation-driven sectors of life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, intellectual property is the bedrock of success. For businesses, research institutions, and innovators in Washington D.C. striving to protect their groundbreaking discoveries and navigate complex patent landscapes, having an attorney with a profound understanding of both the law and the underlying science is not merely an advantage, but a necessity. This is precisely the caliber of expertise that Michele M. Simkin, a distinguished partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, brings to the fore. With a career spanning decades, including pivotal roles within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and leadership positions within Foley & Lardner, Ms. Simkin offers invaluable strategic business counseling to a diverse range of clients. Her presence in the District of Columbia provides local entities direct access to a national leader in intellectual property law, ensuring their innovations are robustly protected and strategically managed within a dynamic global marketplace.

Michele M. Simkin's practice is dedicated to providing strategic intellectual property counsel to clients across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Her comprehensive expertise covers every facet of intellectual property, including diligent patent procurement and meticulous portfolio management. She is highly skilled in crafting and negotiating complex licensing agreements, conducting thorough due diligence for IP acquisitions or sales, and providing critical legal opinions on patent validity, non-infringement, and freedom to operate. Ms. Simkin's extensive experience also includes her prior role as chair of Foley & Lardner's Intellectual Property Department, where she oversaw a team of over 300 IP professionals, and she currently serves as a member of the firm's Management Committee, underscoring her leadership and deep institutional knowledge.

What truly distinguishes Ms. Simkin is her foundational scientific background and her early career at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began her patent career in 1988 as a patent examiner in the biotechnology group of the USPTO. This blend of hands-on scientific research and direct experience within the patent examination process provides her with an unparalleled perspective. She is exceptionally adept at understanding the intricate technical details of new inventions and translating them into effective legal strategies. Ms. Simkin represents a wide array of clients, from major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Alkermes Pharmaceuticals, 10x Genomics, Inc., and Celgene Corporation, to mid-sized biotechnology firms, universities such as the University of Pittsburgh, and emerging start-up ventures. Her work has resulted in securing numerous U.S. and international patents for breakthrough technologies, including novel nanocell technology for cancer treatment, aminosterol compounds for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's Disease, and advanced monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapeutics. For any innovative entity in Washington D.C., Ms. Simkin’s expertise offers a critical advantage in protecting their intellectual assets and fostering growth.

Location and Accessibility

Michele M. Simkin is a key partner at Foley & Lardner LLP's Washington D.C. office, which is conveniently situated at 3000 K St NW Washington Harbour, Washington, DC 20007, USA. This prestigious address in the vibrant Georgetown waterfront area ensures excellent accessibility for clients throughout the District of Columbia. The Washington Harbour is a widely recognized landmark, making the office easy to locate for visitors.

The firm's location benefits significantly from D.C.'s robust public transportation network. It is within a reasonable walking distance from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, which serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, and numerous bus routes are available in the immediate vicinity. For those traveling by car, ample parking facilities are often available around the Washington Harbour area. This central and easily reachable location highlights Foley & Lardner LLP’s commitment to providing accessible and professional legal services to its D.C. clientele, offering a seamless and convenient experience for crucial consultations and collaborative efforts on intellectual property matters.

Services Offered

• Intellectual Property Counseling: Strategic business counseling for life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device clients on all aspects of intellectual property.
• Patent Procurement & Prosecution: Guiding clients through the entire process of drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• IP Portfolio Management: Developing and implementing strategies for building, maintaining, and leveraging valuable intellectual property portfolios.
• Licensing Agreements: Drafting and negotiating complex intellectual property licensing agreements.
• IP Due Diligence: Conducting comprehensive intellectual property due diligence for various transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations.
• Validity, Non-Infringement, and Freedom-to-Operate Opinions: Providing critical legal assessments and opinions regarding patent validity, potential infringement risks, and the freedom to commercialize products.
• Chemical, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical IP: Specialized legal services for clients in these highly technical industries, leveraging a deep understanding of scientific principles.
• Medical Device IP Law: Specific expertise in intellectual property matters pertaining to medical devices, from development to market.
• Post-Grant Proceedings: Representation in various post-grant challenges at the USPTO, ensuring robust defense or challenge of patents.
• Trade Secret Protection: Advising on strategies for protecting valuable trade secrets.
• Litigation Avoidance & Strategy: Counseling clients to minimize litigation exposure and developing strategic approaches when disputes arise.

Features / Highlights

• Extensive Experience & Expertise: Michele M. Simkin boasts decades of experience in intellectual property law, particularly within the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.
• Strong Scientific Background: With a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she possesses a deep understanding of the scientific and technical intricacies of her clients' innovations.
• Former Patent Examiner at USPTO: Her early career as a patent examiner provides invaluable insight into the patent examination process and strategies for successful patent procurement.
• Recognized Industry Leader: Consistently selected by her peers for inclusion in prestigious publications like The Best Lawyers in America© (Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice since 2008) and recognized by IAM Patent 1000 for patent prosecution.
• Leadership Roles within Foley & Lardner: Served as former chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Department and currently a member of the Management Committee, reflecting her influence and leadership.
• Comprehensive IP Lifecycle Support: Provides end-to-end guidance on intellectual property matters, from initial invention disclosure to portfolio management and enforcement.
• Diverse Client Portfolio: Represents a broad spectrum of clients, from large pharmaceutical corporations to universities and start-up ventures, demonstrating adaptability and broad applicability of her expertise.
• Author & Speaker: Has authored numerous articles and lectured on various intellectual property topics, contributing to thought leadership in the field.
• Strategic Business Counselor: Known for providing practical, business-oriented legal advice that aligns IP strategies with overarching business objectives.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly distinguished and specialized intellectual property attorney at a top-tier national law firm, Michele M. Simkin, like other leading professionals at Foley & Lardner LLP, does not typically engage in generalized consumer promotions or discounts. Her services are tailored for sophisticated corporate clients, research institutions, and innovators in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries who require expert, strategic legal solutions for their highly valuable and complex intellectual property assets.

The significant value offered by Ms. Simkin and Foley & Lardner LLP lies in their profound expertise, extensive experience, and proven track record in navigating the intricate legal and scientific landscapes of intellectual property. Clients engage her for critical services such as securing robust patent protection, meticulously managing IP portfolios, skillfully negotiating licensing agreements, and strategically handling IP due diligence for major transactions. The investment in such specialized legal counsel is viewed as a fundamental and strategic imperative for innovation-driven entities. This investment delivers substantial long-term benefits by safeguarding intellectual assets, mitigating legal risks, and enabling successful product development and commercialization. Potential clients in the District of Columbia seeking Ms. Simkin’s expertise should anticipate a professional consultation designed to comprehensively assess their specific needs and demonstrate how her specialized capabilities can provide unparalleled value to their intellectual property endeavors.

Contact Information

For businesses, research institutions, and innovators in the District of Columbia’s life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors seeking top-tier intellectual property legal counsel, Michele M. Simkin at Foley & Lardner LLP is readily available.

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

Phone: (202) 672-5538

Mobile Phone: +1 202-672-5538

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

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For the vibrant and expanding ecosystem of life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device innovators within the District of Columbia, Michele M. Simkin at Foley & Lardner LLP represents an exceptionally suitable and vital legal resource. D.C. is not just a political capital; it is increasingly a hub for cutting-edge scientific research and technological development. The ability to effectively protect and strategically manage intellectual property is paramount to the success and growth of these local ventures.

Ms. Simkin’s unparalleled combination of a strong scientific background (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and decades of specialized legal experience, including her tenure as a patent examiner at the USPTO, positions her uniquely to serve the intricate needs of D.C.’s innovation community. She can bridge the gap between complex scientific discoveries and robust legal protection, a skill that is invaluable for local startups developing new therapies, established pharmaceutical companies seeking to expand their patent portfolios, or medical device manufacturers navigating regulatory and IP hurdles.

Her expertise in patent procurement, IP portfolio management, licensing, and due diligence directly addresses the core legal requirements of these highly specialized industries. For any D.C.-based entity looking to safeguard its intellectual assets, ensure freedom to operate, or strategically leverage its innovations in the market, partnering with Michele M. Simkin offers not just legal representation but a strategic advantage. Her presence at the Washington D.C. office of Foley & Lardner LLP ensures that local clients have convenient access to a leading expert whose work is at the forefront of intellectual property law in the life sciences. This makes her an ideal choice for fostering the legal strength and commercial success of D.C.'s innovative enterprises.