Before transitioning into patent law, Shelly was a scientist and had her scientific research published in various periodicals such as Science. Seeking a different path after graduate school, she landed a day job as a scientific advisor and later as a patent agent in a law firm while attending law school at night. 

At Leber IP Law, Shelly offers clients global strategies for protecting and maintaining their intellectual property. As a patent attorney with more than 10 years of experience, she specializes in helping clients, both large and small, protect their patent assets in the areas of pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and biotechnology.

She loves what she’s doing. She finds that her academic background gives her the tools and knowledge to research, ask questions, learn the terminology, and understand the best way to approach and defend her clients’ intellectual property. She enjoys counseling clients and startups on how the patent process works.

Early in her career, she worked with a highly experienced patent attorney who dedicated much of his time to training young people. Clients loved him, and he had an incredible gift for communication. Even now, when Shelly faces a problem, she thinks, “what would Marc do?” His guidance and mentoring help her approach each project in the best way.

Shelly appreciates working at Leber IP Law because she doesn’t feel like she has to bill eight hours each day. This gives her the flexibility and time to be able to explore issues with her clients that she might not be able to do if she had constant billing pressure. She feels like she can be more productive with less stress. She is able to take the time to look out for her clients’ best interests.

Shelly likes the psychological elements of patent prosecution.  For example, she enjoys thinking about how best to present a patent application to the examiner so that it will be allowed. As a skilled persuasive writer and client advocate, she enjoys the process of convincing examiners that her clients’ inventions are valuable and deserve protection. She is happiest when she knows she did the best job she can for someone.

In Shelly’s spare time, she volunteers for Cub Scouts and her sons’ schools. Taking advantage of all living in Seattle has to offer, she enjoys spending time with family, fishing, cooking and canning, paddleboarding, and hiking and camping.