D. Brian Shortell leads the chemical and pharmaceutical practice team, and is a member of the mechanical technologies team, in the Patents Group. Brian concentrates on patent prosecution, client counseling, and opinion work, and intellectual property litigation. He also has significant experience in reexamination and due diligence matters. Recently, he was called upon as a subject matter expert for chemistry and patent law in an arbitration regarding hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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
IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, patent prosecution, 2021
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)
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