LAWorld News

Seattle law firm enhances its practice with two experienced patent attorneys

Betts Patterson & Mines, P.S. (BPM), the LAWorld member for Seattle, USA has significantly expanded its intellectual property capability with the addition of two patent attorneys to its Intellectual Property Practice Group. 

Pam Kohli Jacobson, a former partner at Christensen O’Connor Johnson & Kindness, and her colleague, Mary Atkinson, join Betts Patterson & Mines bringing an IP practice that includes patent and trademark prosecution, litigation, patentability and freedom-to-practice opinions, intellectual property due diligence, intellectual property licensing, agreements and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings.

The addition of these attorneys emphasizes BPM’s commitment to strategic growth in all aspects of its intellectual property practice.  “Pam Jacobson and Mary Atkinson are top patent attorneys who will increase our IP capabilities and allow us to help clients protect their innovations and intellectual assets throughout the United States and globally,” said Managing Shareholder, Lawrence Gottlieb.  “Their patent and trademark practice is a perfect fit for our existing IP litigation practice, which already includes three BPM shareholders, John Braislin, James Nelson and Christopher Tompkins.” 

BPM’s excellence and strong tradition in litigation and its positive atmosphere, strategic vision and leadership were key factors for the two new attorneys joining the firm, said Jacobson.  “We were extremely impressed with Betts Patterson & Mines.” said Jacobson, “It’s a well-run firm that is very strategic in its approach. We feel our IP practice will develop and grow at BPM , and our clients will be very well served by BPM’s outstanding litigation and business practices.  We look forward to working with our new colleagues.” 

Pam Jacobson is a patent attorney with a broad intellectual property background which includes licensing, patent prosecution, trademark prosecution and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings.  She draws upon her experience in each of these areas to tactically grow, develop and monetize her clients’ intellectual property portfolios.  Prior to law school, Jacobson worked as a research scientist at the University of Chicago and at Honeywell International.

Mary Atkinson focuses her practice on assisting and counseling clients in obtaining, protecting, and leveraging intellectual property in the chemical and biotechnology arts. Her technical experiences includes 10 years as a research scientist at the University of Washington in the areas of genetics and molecular biology.  In addition to patent preparation and prosecution, Atkinson assists clients in intellectual property due diligence, technology licensing agreements, and infringement, validity, and freedom-to-practice opinions.

Atkinson also provides legal advice and support to life sciences clients in the areas of pre-clinical and clinical drug development.  She has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of agreements associated with the conduct of clinical trials world-wide, such as research collaboration agreements with universities, manufacturing and supply agreements, material transfer agreements, clinical trial agreements with contract research organizations and institutions, indemnification agreements, and informed patient consent. 

Atkinson has both law-firm and in-house experience, having served as in-house counsel for Sonus Pharmaceuticals, a small biotech company, for five years.  Prior to law school she was a research scientist, University of Washington, Department of Pathology from 1989 to 1999. 

The attorneys of Betts, Patterson & Mines, P.S. are sought out for their problem-solving skills and for their expertise in serving the legal needs of both large and small businesses, as well as individuals.  For more information, please call (206) 292-9988 or visit www.bpmlaw.com.