Mary Atkinson focuses her practice on assisting and counseling clients in obtaining, protecting, and leveraging intellectual property in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. She has a strong background in molecular biology and genetics, having spent 10 years as a research scientist at the University of Washington. In addition to patent preparation and prosecution, Mary assists clients in intellectual property due diligence, technology licensing agreements, and infringement, validity, and freedom-to-practice opinions. She also provides legal advice and support to life sciences clients in the areas of pre-clinical and clinical drug development.
Prior to joining COJK, Mary was in-house counsel for Sonus Pharmaceuticals, where she gained invaluable insights into the challenges and business issues faced by emerging life sciences companies. During this period she also gained 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.
Education
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2002
- B.S., magna cum laude, Chemistry, Youngstown State University, 1970
Professional Experience
- Christensen O'Connor Johnson KindnessPLLC, Seattle, WA, 2008 to present
- Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bothell, WA
Patent Attorney, 2003 to 2008 - Rosetta Inpharmatics, Kirkland, WA
Contract Patent Attorney, 2002 to 2003
Technical Experience
- Research Scientist, University of Washington, Department of Pathology, 1989 to 1999
Bar & Court Admissions
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Washington State Bar
Professional Affiliations
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Washington State Patent Law Association
- Licensing Executives Society