Insights: News Kilpatrick Expands Patent Expertise by Adding Prominent Chemistry & Life Sciences Partner in Seattle
Melissa M. Harwood, Ph.D., J.D. Joins Firm
SEATTLE (January 27, 2025) – Kilpatrick announced today that Dr. Melissa Harwood has joined the firm’s Seattle office as a partner. Dr. Harwood will be a member of the Chemistry & Life Sciences Team in the firm’s internationally recognized Intellectual Property Department. She was previously a partner at DLA Piper.
“Our outstanding Chemistry & Life Sciences Team has been looking to strategically expand its presence on the West Coast including in the firm’s Seattle office,” said Roger Wylie, Kilpatrick Managing Partner. “Melissa’s diverse practice, which includes patent prosecution, counseling, and litigation, complements our already strong capabilities on the West Coast and beyond. We welcome Melissa to Kilpatrick.”
Melissa Harwood, recognized as a leading life sciences attorney, focuses her practice on strategic intellectual property counseling, IP portfolio development and management, patent prosecution, and IP due diligence for a variety of transactions, including venture financings, public offerings and other deals. Dr. Harwood’s client base is centered around the biotechnology, therapeutics, and chemical industries and includes both early stage and established companies. She counsels clients in connection with intellectual property transactions and agreements, including license agreements, collaboration agreements, and M&A agreements. She also has significant experience litigating patent matters in federal court and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTAB”), including inter partes review, post-grant review, and reexamination proceedings.
“Kilpatrick’s extensive life sciences platform with its deep bench of attorneys and patent agents, including many with PhDs, provides clients with broad expertise,” said Melissa Harwood. “The firm is well positioned to meet the growing needs of clients in this area. I have known several Kilpatrick attorneys in the Seattle office for years and look forward to meeting my new colleagues at other offices across the firm.”
Dr. Harwood graduated from the University of Washington School of Law (J.D.) and earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Utah (B.S.) and holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Washington. She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
About Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick Townsend is trusted counsel to the world’s most innovative companies. To serve our ground-breaking clients, we strive to be at the forefront of client service and on the cutting edge of law and technology. With recognized strength in the technology sector and a full range of service offerings, we deliver practical, business-centric solutions built upon strong and enduring connections.
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John Page, Director of Communications
jpage@ktslaw.com
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