Biography

Meggan F. Duffy secures valuable domestic and foreign patent rights for a variety of clients in the mechanical, electromechanical, consumer products, medical devices, e-commerce, femtech, and insurance services sectors. She also provides opinions and counseling for many clients in these industries, helping them succeed by advancing and protecting their technologies through skillful patent preparation and prosecution.

Since 2019, Meggan has been recognized by her peers as a "Leading Lawyer" and most recently Crain's Chicago Business included her in the 2022 "Notable Women in Law" List. Meggan was also named among the 2023 Influential Women in Business by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Representative Experience

Clients benefit from Meggan’s successful development and implementation of domestic and foreign patent strategies in many diverse technologies, including:

  • Mechanical: Banner Mounting Assemblies; Mining Systems and Products; Vacuums and Air Movers and related devices; Gear Systems; Process Control Valves and Systems, Regulators, Actuators, Proximity Switches and related equipment; Systems and Methods for Lining Pipelines; Conveyor Systems and Processes for Paper Packaging; Beverage Production Equipment; Bottling Technology
  • Consumer Products: Ink Systems for Retractable Marker Products; Retractable Valves and Eraser Assemblies for Writing Instruments; Side Knock Mechanisms for Mechanical Pencils; Lead Storage, Advancement and Delivery Systems for Writing Implements; Shelving and Storage Systems; Cookware; Furniture
  • Electromechanical: GPS Products and Systems; Lighting Assemblies and Methods; Portable Batteries; Remotely Controlled Tethering Systems
  • Medical Devices: Thoracic Occlusion Systems; Applicators and Devices for Applying Sealant to Tissues During Surgical Procedures; Catheters; Breast Pumps and Related Products; Microfluidic Devices and Methods for Modulating Cell Environments; Braces and Orthopedic Devices, Intravenous Drug Delivery Systems, Dental Instruments, Biopsy Devices, Auto Injectors, Wearable Drug Delivery Devices, and Syringe Assemblies
  • Femtech: Breast Pumps, Breast Pump Kits, Valves and Various Accessories for Breast Pumps, Nursing Garments, Breast Pumping Garments, Protective Gear for Chest Cups, Pelvic Cups, Rib Pads, and Hip Pads; Cervical Elastography System and Methods; Transvaginal Ultrasound Imaging Systems

Background and Credentials

Meggan has successfully handled U.S. and foreign patent preparation and prosecution for clients in numerous technical areas and helped advance their business opportunities through opinions and counseling.

During her tenure at the firm, Meggan served as the Director of Professional Development. Under her direction, the firm developed a fully functioning mentoring program, a full spectrum of orientation and training modules for new associates, agents, and technical specialists, and a formal training program, consisting of more detailed seminars directed to younger associates.

From 2000–2005, Meggan was an Instructor of Law at DePaul University College of Law, teaching Patent Law, first-year Legal Analysis, Research & Communication, and Intellectual Property Legal Analysis, Research & Communication. While teaching, she was also actively involved in the law school’s Center for Intellectual Property Law and Information Technology (CIPLIT), serving as Co-Director of its L.L.M. Program in Intellectual Property Law and a member of the CIPLIT Advisory Board. She also continued to practice with the firm on a project basis during that time.

Meggan joined the firm after earning her J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. While in law school, she served as a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant and a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge James B. Zagel, a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. She obtained her B.S. in General Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During that time, Meggan served as a Teaching Assistant for ENGR 100 and GE199, president of Gamma Epsilon Honors Society, and a student intern at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo, Japan. She also received numerous awards for her academic and leadership accomplishments at the University of Illinois, including the Honorary Knight of St. Patrick Award, the Jerry S. Dobrovolny Leadership Award, and a Senior 100 Honorary Society honoree.

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (B.S.)
    • General Engineering

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Publications and Presentations

  • "Careers in Intellectual Property and Patent Law," Moderator, Illinois Intellectual Property Alliance (ILIPA) Panel Discussion, April 6, 2023. 
  • "Protecting Innovation in FemTech," Co-Author, MedTech Intelligence, February 28, 2023. 
  • "Chicago Women in IP (ChiWIP) Annual Progressive Networking Dinner," Moderator, ChiWIP, February 8, 2023.  
  • "Careers in Intellectual Property and Patent Law," Moderator, Illinois Intellectual Property Alliance (ILIPA) Panel Discussion, April 7, 2022.
  • "Patenting Considerations for Protecting 3D Printing Innovations," Presenter, TIPE | 2022, powered by Women in 3D Printing, January 19, 2021.

See Meggan's additional thought leadership

Community and Professional Involvement

  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC), member
    • Previous Member, U.S. Patents Committee, Women in IP and Inventor of the Year Committees
  • Board Member and Secretary, Chicago Intellectual Property Alliance (CIPA)
    • Chair, Mentorship Program Committee
    • Co-Founder, CIPA Mentorship Program
      • Mentor 2008-present
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), member
  • Chicago Women in Intellectual Property (ChiWIP), member
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