Foley & Lardner LLP: Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff

In the highly specialized and constantly evolving fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and complex chemical innovations, securing and defending intellectual property (IP) rights is paramount. For companies, research institutions, and innovators in Washington D.C. who are at the forefront of these industries, having legal counsel with deep technical understanding and extensive experience in patent law is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff, a distinguished Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, provides precisely this level of expert guidance, right here in the nation's capital.

Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff is a prominent intellectual property lawyer and a Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, a firm renowned for its robust IP practice. She assists a diverse array of international clients with all aspects of obtaining, defending, evaluating, licensing, and enforcing patents. Her work includes conducting critical freedom-to-operate and due diligence investigations, essential for companies looking to develop and bring new products to market without infringing on existing IP. With over 25 years of experience, Courtenay is a seasoned litigator who represents clients before the U.S. Patent Office, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Courtenay's expertise extends across various complex patent matters, including four-party interferences, Inter partes Reexaminations, Inter partes Reviews, and ANDA litigation, particularly relevant for pharmaceutical clients. Her deep technical knowledge spans the chemical and biotechnology industries, encompassing innovations in pharmaceuticals, drug-device products, human and animal food products, nutraceuticals, and industrial technologies. She has particular experience with transdermal pharmaceutical products, oral dosage forms, enzyme-based technologies, and diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies. Her role as the editor and primary author for Foley's PharmaPatentsBlog.com further demonstrates her commitment to analyzing and sharing insights on evolving patent office practices and precedential court decisions, making her a go-to resource for the D.C. scientific and legal communities.

Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff practices at Foley & Lardner LLP's Washington D.C. office, which is located at 3000 K St NW Washington Harbour, Washington, DC 20007, USA. This prestigious address positions the firm within Georgetown's iconic Washington Harbour, a locale known for its vibrant atmosphere, waterfront views, and accessibility within the city.

The firm's location provides convenient access for clients across the District and the wider metropolitan area. While it is not directly adjacent to a Metro station, the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station (serving the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines) is within a reasonable walking distance (approximately 15-20 minutes) or a short bus/rideshare trip away. Numerous Metrobus routes also operate throughout the Georgetown area, offering additional public transportation options for those commuting to the office.

For clients who prefer to drive, the Washington Harbour complex features extensive underground parking facilities, providing convenient and secure options for visitors. The K Street NW corridor is a major artery, making the office easily reachable by car from various parts of D.C. and the surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. The office, situated within a prominent and modern building, offers a professional, discreet, and comfortable environment for client meetings and consultations, aligning with the firm's commitment to high standards of service for its specialized clientele.

Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff's practice at Foley & Lardner LLP offers comprehensive intellectual property legal services, with a strong focus on the chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. Her key service areas include:

• Patent Procurement & Prosecution: Assisting clients with all aspects of obtaining U.S. and international patents, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Patent Portfolio Management: Strategically managing clients' intellectual patent portfolios to maximize their value, protection, and commercial potential.
• Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) & Due Diligence Investigations: Conducting thorough investigations to assess the risk of infringing existing patents for new products or technologies, and performing IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Patent Litigation & Enforcement: Representing clients in complex patent litigation matters, including ANDA litigation (relevant to pharmaceutical generic drug approvals), interferences, Inter partes Reexaminations, and Inter partes Reviews (IPRs) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
• Licensing & Transactions: Advising on the licensing, transfer, and commercialization of intellectual property assets.
• Hatch-Waxman & Biosimilars Framework: Providing specialized counsel on the interface between patent law and FDA law, including patent term extension, the scope of the Hatch-Waxman "safe harbor," and the biosimilars Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) framework.
• Counseling on Evolving Patent Practices: Offering insights and guidance on changes in patent office practices and precedential court decisions, crucial for navigating a dynamic legal landscape.

Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff's professional profile at Foley & Lardner LLP is distinguished by several significant features and highlights that underscore her deep expertise and high standing in the intellectual property legal community:

• Extensive Experience & Longevity: With over 25 years of experience in intellectual property law, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in complex patent matters.
• Recognized as a Leading Patent Practitioner: She has been consistently recognized in prestigious legal guides, including "The Best Lawyers in America©" for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (multiple years, including 2008-2024), and in "IAM Patent 1000 – The World's Leading Patent Practitioners" for patent prosecution (multiple years, including 2014-2016, 2020-2021, 2024). She was also named a "Top Woman in IP" and an "IP Star" by Managing IP in 2015.
• Thought Leadership and Industry Voice: As the editor and primary author of Foley's PharmaPatentsBlog.com, she actively analyzes and comments on evolving patent office practices and precedential court decisions. She is also a JD Supra Readers' Choice Top Author (2017-2021) in pharmaceutical industry and patents categories.
• Leadership Roles in Professional Organizations: Courtenay serves as a Vice Chair of the Intellectual Property Owner's Association Patent Office Practice Committee and as a Vice Chair of the Appeals to the PTAB Committee of the PTAB Bar Association, demonstrating her influence within the IP community.
• Deep Scientific and Technical Acumen: Her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia (Phi Beta Kappa, with distinction) provides her with a strong foundation to understand complex innovations in chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical fields.
• Former Federal Circuit Clerkship: Prior to joining Foley, she clerked for The Honorable Alvin Anthony Schall on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, gaining invaluable insight into the appellate process for patent cases.
• Published Author on Patent Law: She co-authored the treatise "America Invents Act: Law & Analysis" (Wolters Kluwer 2012), demonstrating her expertise in significant patent reform legislation.
• Strategic Focus on FDA-Patent Interface: Courtenay has particular interest and expertise in the intersection of patent law and FDA law, including topics like Hatch-Waxman "safe harbor" and biosimilars, which is critical for pharmaceutical clients.

As a distinguished Partner at a leading international law firm like Foley & Lardner LLP, Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff does not offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the way a consumer-facing business might. The firm's value proposition for its clients, who are typically major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutions, and innovative start-ups, is based on providing unparalleled legal expertise and strategic counsel for complex intellectual property matters.

Instead of discounts, clients benefit from the significant intellectual capital, comprehensive resources, and strategic advantages that Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff and Foley & Lardner LLP bring to the table. This inherent "offer" includes:

• Access to Highly Specialized IP Expertise: Clients gain the advantage of Courtenay's deep and current knowledge in the niche areas of patent law for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, including her unique understanding of USPTO practices and appellate court dynamics.
• Strategic Guidance from an Industry Thought Leader: As an author of a leading patent law treatise and editor of a prominent PharmaPatents blog, Courtenay provides proactive insights and strategic advice that helps clients navigate complex and evolving legal landscapes.
• Leveraging a Global Network: Engaging with Foley & Lardner LLP means tapping into the resources of a vast international firm, providing seamless support for clients with national or global IP portfolios and multi-jurisdictional needs.
• Strong Litigation & PTAB Experience: Her extensive experience in high-stakes patent litigation, including ANDA litigation and PTAB trials, provides clients with robust defense and enforcement capabilities.

For businesses and institutions in Washington D.C. operating in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, or chemical industries, it is advisable to directly contact Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff or Foley & Lardner LLP to discuss their specific intellectual property needs. During a consultation, they can outline how their expertise and the firm's resources can be leveraged to address the client's particular challenges and achieve their strategic IP objectives. The firm’s commitment is to deliver high-value, sophisticated legal services tailored to the unique demands of their innovative clientele.

To connect with Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff and the Intellectual Property team at Foley & Lardner LLP's Washington D.C. office, please use the following contact details:

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

Phone: (202) 295-4094

Mobile Phone: +1 202-295-4094

Reaching out via phone is the most direct way to inquire about their services and to schedule a consultation regarding your intellectual property needs in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical sectors.

For innovative companies, research institutions, and scientific ventures within the District of Columbia, particularly those focused on the life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors, Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff at Foley & Lardner LLP is an exceptionally suitable and highly valuable legal resource. Her specialized expertise and the firm's strategic advantages make her an ideal choice for local clients.

Firstly, the firm's location at 3000 K St NW in Georgetown's Washington Harbour provides convenient access for D.C.-based professionals. While a short ride from the nearest Metro, its presence in a prestigious and accessible area ensures ease of access for local corporate counsel, R&D teams, and executives. This central D.C. presence facilitates seamless collaboration on complex and often time-sensitive intellectual property matters, especially given the proximity to critical federal agencies like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Secondly, and most critically, Courtenay Brinckerhoff's profound specialization in patent law for the chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries directly addresses the unique needs of Washington D.C.'s growing scientific and innovation ecosystem. D.C. is a hub for federal research funding, regulatory oversight, and policy development that profoundly impacts these sectors. For local entities navigating intricate patent procurement, managing extensive IP portfolios, or engaging in high-stakes patent litigation, Courtenay's expertise – backed by her scientific background, former USPTO examiner experience, and Federal Circuit clerkship – is precisely what is needed to navigate this highly regulated and technically intricate landscape.

Her long-standing recognition among peers, her leadership roles in prominent IP associations, and her consistent thought leadership further solidify her reputation as a top-tier advocate. For any entity in Washington D.C. committed to protecting and commercializing their cutting-edge innovations in the life sciences and chemical fields, Courtenay C. Brinckerhoff offers the specialized knowledge, strategic insight, and robust legal support necessary to thrive in this highly competitive field.