News

Biotech Partner & Chair Heather Kissling Wins 2016 ILO Client Choice Award

February 17, 2016

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is pleased to announce that partner and chair of the Firm’s biotechnology practice group, Heather R. Kissling, was named the exclusive winner in the International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Awards 2016 “Intellectual Property – Patents” category for Illinois. Nominations are made only by corporate counsel, and more than 2,500 candidates were reviewed. Client references complimented Ms. Kissling’s talent and client service, sharing the following comments:

“When it comes to effectiveness, knowledge, skill and customer service in the complex and competitive field of patent law, I have found no better colleague than Ms. Kissling.”

“She exhibits all the qualities that inside counsel desire from outside counsel, including creativity, fantastic organizational skills, ethical conduct and strategic thinking.”

“Ms. Kissling can think holistically about the problems we are facing and help us to find solutions that best work for our business quickly.”

“She brings her A game to each and every matter that she handles; an invaluable member of any team.”

Ms. Kissling uses her experience in all phases of prosecution work to help biotechnology clients strategically develop and maintain patent portfolios to achieve business goals. She has worked on patent matters in diverse technologies, including: antibody and protein technology; gene therapy; viral vector and cell line technologies; recombinant DNA and expression systems; genetically-modified plants; and screening methods for anti-viral therapies. She prepares and prosecutes patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and works with foreign associates in connection with patent applications filed and prosecuted in foreign patent offices for universities, non-profit research institutions, governmental agencies, start-ups, and established biotechnology companies. She aids clients in defining commercial opportunities by investigating competitor patent landscapes, patent validity, and freedom to operate issues. Ms. Kissling provides patent due diligence support for licensing, financing, and acquisition transactions. She also has participated in patent interference proceedings before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and assisted foreign associates in opposition proceedings abroad.

In 2013-2016, Ms. Kissling has been selected for inclusion in the Illinois Rising Stars® lists, featuring outstanding young attorneys in the state. She was recognized in the 2nd edition of Managing IP’s IP Stars – Top 250 Women in IP, and was also named an “IP Star” in Managing IP’s World IP Handbook and Survey. She was also designated as an "Emerging Lawyer" in the 2015–2016 editions of Emerging Lawyers Magazine, in which individuals are recognized among the top up-and-coming attorneys in Illinois. Ms. Kissling graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Biotechnology from Northwestern University, and a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Liberal Arts Chemistry, magna cum laude, from the University of Evansville.

Client Choice recognizes law firms and partners around the world who provide excellent client care and quality service. The criteria focuses on an ability to add real value to clients' businesses above and beyond other players in the market. Both law firms and partners may be nominated by corporate counsel only. A full listing of ILO Client Choice Awards 2016 recipients is available in the Client Choice Guide – USA & Canada 2016 and searchable on the Client Choice website. To view Ms. Kissling’s profile, please click here.

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