Shawn P. Foley

In addition to established pharma companies, Shawn currently represents entrepreneurs, startups, and not-for-profit research institutions and universities. He has successfully guided clients through patent appeals, post-grant matters such as reissue and interferences, and European oppositions.

Shawn began his career as an examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he reviewed patent applications during the emergence of the biotechnology field and learned the inner workings of the patent-granting system. Following a two-year stint with a leading Southeastern IP firm, Shawn moved in-house with a worldwide pharma company. As co-IP counsel at one of the company’s research institutes, Shawn advised on-site scientists and management regarding genetically engineered plants and seeds, and worked with IP colleagues in other locations throughout the company regarding its pharma research and development. He then moved back to private practice, where he was instrumental in developing a life sciences practice at a prominent New Jersey–based IP firm.

Shawn offers refined legal and advocacy skills, technical versatility, consummate practicality, honesty, evolved patience, perseverance, and the ability to listen. He prides himself on having developed a communication style that is simple and direct. He is equally comfortable making formal presentations to boards of directors and dealing with in-house counsel, scientists, and business development professionals.

A dear old mentor once told Shawn that “the law is a jealous mistress.” As profound as that statement turned out to be, Shawn finds time to enjoy tennis, weightlifting, swimming, leaf peeping in New England, art, and music. He is also a contributor to the ASPCA. His love of fall colors and animals rubbed off on his daughter, who moved back to the Northeast, where she practices veterinary surgery.