Flexible & Effective Leadership Strategies Post-2020 (RECORDING)

Carlyn Burton uses intellectual property in creative and strategic ways to help clients achieve their business goals. With more than 15 years of IP legal experience under her belt, Ms. Burton has represented a wide range of clients – from accomplished Fortune 500 companies to innovative start-ups.  As a scientist, she combines diverse technical knowledge with a strong skill set across multiple areas:  domestic and foreign patent prosecution and maintenance, IP counseling, licensing, and IP litigation in the fields of chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering, with an emphasis in oilfield technologies, specialty chemicals, polymers, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

Gaby L. Longsworth, Ph.D., is a director in Sterne Kessler's Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group and chair of the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Gaby has been consistently recognized as a “Life Sciences Star” by LMG Life Sciences since 2016. In 2017 and 2020, she was a finalist for "Patent Strategy and Management Attorney of the Year, District of Columbia," in LMG's annual Life Sciences Awards. In 2019, Profiles in Diversity Journal listed her among their “Women Worth Watching®” award.

Gaby is particularly well-known by innovator and generic pharmaceutical companies world-wide for her insights and knowledge of intellectual property and Hatch-Waxman law. Capitalizing on her extensive generic pharmaceutical expertise, Gaby is uniquely qualified to evaluate complex innovator IP portfolios from a generic perspective, including method-of-use claim coverage relative to the product label, Orange Book patent listing and data exclusivity, 505(b)(2) strategies, labeling carve-outs, and Patent Term Extensions.

Gaby also counsels biopharmaceutical clients from around the world in all areas of patent procurement, including domestic and foreign patent preparation and lifecycle management strategies. Gaby practices primarily in the fields of biotherapeutics, small molecules, biologics, immunotherapy, antibody technologies, microbiome-based technologies, probiotics, synthetic biology, DNA amplification/PCR, diagnostics, vaccines, viral vectors, formulations and drug delivery.

Gaby has rendered more than a thousand invalidity, non-infringement, freedom-to-operate, and patentability opinions in areas such as: small molecules; polymorphs; crystal forms and salts; chemical synthesis; agricultural chemicals, pharmaceutical formulations, including oral dosage forms and parenterals; transdermal patches; ophthalmics, creams, gels, suspensions, nasal and oral inhalation forms, pharmacokinetics, nucleic acids, medical devices and therapeutic antibodies.

In addition, Gaby has strong experience in biopharmaceutical Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). 

In addition to maintaining a vibrant practice, Gaby is one of the organizers of “INSPIRED by the Women of Sterne Kessler," an affinity group designed to engage female attorneys through participation in a variety of programs that support personal and professional development. She is also a sustaining member of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia.

Gaby earned a J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center, a Ph.D. in human genetics and molecular biology at The Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in molecular biology from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is fluent in Dutch.

Gillian Thackray is an award-winning lawyer and expert legal and business strategist. Her multi-faceted approach integrates law, business, and practicality to help business partners reach their goals. Her specialties include: Business Strategy, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Commercial Advice, Complex Transactions, Business Negotiations, Licensing, Risk Mitigation, New Product Development, Intellectual Property Strategy, Technology, Regulatory Compliance, and Legal operations. 

Richard Watkins is a senior principal legal counsel at Medtronic and has practiced IP Law for 20 years. He holds a BS in Chemistry from Morehouse College and a law degree from Georgetown University. Prior to Medtronic, Richard spent time in private practice and corporate in house positions in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Memphis. He has been active in the IPO Diversity and Inclusion committee and is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Black IP Professionals in IPO.