D. Brian Shortell leads the Life Sciences & Materials Sciences Patent Practice Team in the Patents Practice Group. Brian concentrates on patent prosecution, counseling, opinions of counsel, and patent litigation. He also has significant experience in reexamination and due diligence matters. Brian has practiced patent law for nearly twenty-five years, and his practice primarily focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule therapeutics.
Brian is a registered patent attorney. His technical experience encompasses industrial chemical research and postdoctoral chemical research, which focused on organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and characterization, molecular electronics, nanotechnology, and the synthesis and characterization of novel chiral atropisomers. His experience also includes academic grant writing and teaching chemistry at the undergraduate level. He has published several articles and papers in both legal and chemical literature.
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Adjunct Professor of Law, Emory University, Patent Practice and Procedures, 2016-present
Adjunct Professor of Law, Mercer University School of Law, Patent Law & Litigation, and Patent Drafting and Prosecution, 2010-2013
Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, Patent Drafting and Prosecution, 2008-present
Atlanta Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, Founding Member and, Master of the Bench, May 2010-present
IPO Committee, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Issues
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA, Intellectual Property (Georgia), 2024, 2025
Managing Intellectual Property, "Patent Star," 2022-2025
IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, patent prosecution, 2021-2025
Speaking Engagements
"Patent Prosecution Roundtable," Atlanta Bar Association, Intellectual Property SpringPosium 2016, Adairsville, Ga., April 15, 2016
"Patent Eligibility in 2015," Atlanta Bar Association, Intellectual Property SpringPosium 2015, Adairsville, Ga., April 11, 2015
"Subject Matter Eligibility after Myriad & CLS Bank; Non-Practicing Entity Reform," Atlanta Bar Association, Intellectual Property SpringPosium 2014, Adairsville, Ga., April 11, 2014
Board Memberships & Community Service
Atlanta Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Board of Directors (Chair, 2011-2012; Vice Chair, 2010-2011; Secretary/Treasurer, 2009-2010; Member-at-Large, 2007-2009)
Aria North Homeowner's Association, Board President, Sandy Springs, GA, 2024-present
Publications
Acknowledged by the authors of "Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5-Positive Allosteric Modulators for the Treatment of Schizophrenia (2004–2012)," appearing in Patent Review, 2013 2(1)
Credentials
Education
University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D. 2002)
Member, South Carolina Law Review; Member, Moot Court Bar; Officer, Intellectual Property Law Society
University of South Carolina (Ph.D. 1999, organic chemistry)
University of South Carolina at Spartanburg (B.S. 1993, chemistry)
Admissions
Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office