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CHICAGO – Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP, an intellectual property law firm, announces the addition of Jennifer Burnette, Heather Kissling and Pooja Van Dyck as associates.  The attorneys previously served as summer associates for the firm.

“We strive to attract attorneys that understand our client sciences and allow us to grow stronger and even deeper in the IP-related services we provide,” said Jeff Sharp, managing partner of Marshall, Gerstein & Borun.  “Jenn’s, Heather’s and Pooja’s rich scientific backgrounds further our depth in providing patent prosecution, particularly in the arenas of material and life sciences.” 

Burnette’s practice focuses on patent prosecution with an emphasis on material sciences.  She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School (2007), where she was editor in chief of The Minnesota Journal of Law, Science and Technology.  Burnette received her B.S. in engineering science and applied mathematics and material science and engineering from Northwestern University (2004), where she performed research for the Material Science Department.  She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Kissling focuses on patent prosecution in the field of biotechnology.  She previously served as an extern for the Honorable Ruben Castillo of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  As a patent agent for Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Kissling, she evaluated the patentability of biotechnology inventions, advised clients on patent strategy and competitor landscapes, and prepared and prosecuted patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices.  She also served as an industrial resident for Abbott Laboratories.  Kissling received her J.D., with high honors, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law (2007), her M.S. in biotechnology from Northwestern University (1998) and her B.S., magna cum laude, in biology and liberal arts chemistry from the University of Evansville (1997). 

Van Dyck focuses on patent prosecution, with an emphasis in chemistry and chemical engineering.  She previously conducted biopharmaceutical research for Genitope Corporation and Chiron Corporation.  Van Dyck is fluent in Hindi and conversational in Gujarati.  She received her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law (2007) and her B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (2000).

The law firm of Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP provides intellectual property and litigation representation in worldwide acquisition, protection, defense, enforcement and transfer of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.  Patent prosecution, litigation and transactional offerings encompass all areas of technology and the scientific arts.