Elizabeth Doherty

About Elizabeth Doherty

Liz Doherty has spent nearly 25 years assisting clients in the life sciences with a wide range of U.S. patent law issues. Since a patent strategy is part of an overall business strategy, Liz works closely with clients to align intellectual property and business goals. Before becoming a patent lawyer, Liz obtained a PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Jennifer Doudna, focusing on the structure of large RNA molecules. She also holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is a member of the California Bar Association and admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.Liz has worked with many types of clients, from recent start-ups to large multinationals to research foundations to venture funds. The technologies on which she has focused include antibodies and other protein biologic drugs, diagnostic methods and biomarkers, omega-3 fatty acid pharmaceuticals, non-natural nucleic acids, genomic sequencing methods, genetically modified crop plants, and bioinformatics. She has also worked with many clients on coordinating patent and regulatory strategies for small molecule drugs and biologics.Liz has spent several years working in Europe and has worked extensively with European patent attorneys, both as clients and as colleagues. As a benefit of her tenure in Europe, she has worked frequently with European patent attorneys to improve the drafting of new patent applications. Liz uses this experience to avoid common pitfalls that arise due to the differences in law and procedure between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office, and thus, to anticipate potential patent eligibility problems, reduce prosecution costs, and obtain a better scope of protection in both jurisdictions.

Experience

1. Partner

   Mcneill Pllc

   Jun 2024 — Present · San Diego, US

Education

• Georgetown Law

  Doctor of Law (J.D.)

  2001 — 2004

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), International Relations and Affairs

  1983 — 1987

• Yale University

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Biophysics

  1994 — 2000

Skills

• Intellectual Property
• Biotechnology Industry
• Patent Prosecution
• Prosecution
• Patents