Jennifer M. Hayes
Ms. Hayes, a Principal of the firm, is head of the firm's Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Life Sciences, and Chemical and Materials Practice Groups, where she focuses on patent procurement, patent portfolio strategies, counseling, and opinions. Ms. Hayes specializes in pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech, and material science arts. She has extensive experience in a variety of technology areas that include small molecule drugs, pharmaceutical formulations, compositions, and methods of treatment; chemical compounds, compositions, methods of making and use; yeast and fermentation, and baked food products; extracts, cosmetics, and fragrances; polymer compounds, compositions, synthesis and methods of use; multi-layered plastic materials, methods of making, and methods of using; molded articles, stock, and packaging materials; synthetic oils, fuel additives, catalysts, fuel cells, batteries, structural materials, and composites. Jennifer also has experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. trademark applications before the USPTO.
Before joining the firm, Ms. Hayes was a partner at a well-known Intellectual Property boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. Ms. Hayes has also worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner in Technology Center 1700 (Chemicals and Materials Engineering), examining patent applications for compliance with formal requirements and patentability, and also as a Petitions Attorney in the Office of Petitions reviewing petitions and rendering decisions regarding matters of procedure, policy, and practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Hayes has traveled extensively to Europe and Asia to visit clients and give lectures on topics of interest relating to U.S. patent law. Before entering the area of patent law, Ms. Hayes was a registered pharmacist in the state of Maryland and employed and involved in pharmacy practice.
Education
- University of Florida, Master of Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences (2021)
- The George Washington University Law School, LL.M. in Intellectual Property (2002)
- Howard University School of Law, Juris Doctor (1994)
- Howard University, College of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (1991)
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia, Attorney-At-Law
- State of Maryland, Attorney at Law
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Registered Patent Attorney
- U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Member
Professional Activities
- Co-Chair, National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) Pharmaceutical and Biotech Practice Area Committee, Current
- Howard Intellectual Property Program (HIPP) Advisory Board, Former Member
- Institute for Intellectual Property and Social Justice (IIPSJ) at the Howard University School of Law, Moderator/Speaker
- National Bar Association (NBA), Member
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, “Intellectual Property Rights in the Age of AI”, 2024 Annual Law and Technology Summit, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Durham Convention Center, Durham NC (October 11, 2024).
- Panelist, CLE Session: “IP Portfolios on a Budget: Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck,” National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (September 16, 2024).
- Panelist, "The Inventor's Patent Academy Webinar Series: Understanding Patent Law," Women in Engineering ProActive Network (March 5, 2024).
- Panelist, "AI and ChatGPT: Transforming Innovation in Pharmaceuticals?," National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), Driving Diversity and Leadership Conference (DDLC), New Orleans, LA (March 4, 2024).
- Panelist, "Patent Implications of Generative AI," 2023 Annual Lw and Technology Summit, North Carolina Central University Law School, Durham NC (October 13, 2023).
- Panelist, “Advocating for STEM Equity in the Current Legal Landscape," Plenary Session, ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening, Durham, NC (June 6, 2023).
- Moderator of Panel Discussion of the topic, "Scandal: Gladiators Breaking Down Diversity and Inclusion Barriers in IP Law," 2019 Annual Meeting & Law Firm Expo, National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, Los Angeles, CA (September 24, 2019).
- Moderator of Panel Discussion of the topic, “Corporations as Change Agents for Enhancing Diversity & Empowering Pro Bono,” 16th Annual Intellectual Property and Social Justice CLE Seminar, Howard University School of Law, Washington, DC (March 1, 2019).
- Panelist, “Patent Protection for Pharma and Biotechnology in 2018,” LIVE Webcast, broadcast by The Knowledge Group (January 26, 2018).
Publications
- Contributor, Chapter Eleven: “Claim Construction,” The Essential Case Law Guide to PTAB Trials, ABA Book Publishing (2018).
Affiliations
- Who's Who in America, The Marquis Who's Who Publications Board, 2024-2025.
- Founder and President, I Am Kept Foundation, Inc.
- Member, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.
