As chair of Polsinelli’s Intellectual Property (IP) Department, Pat serves as the strategic architect behind one of the nation’s largest full-service IP practices. He frequently works with company boards and executives on high-impact IP matters including Freedom to Operate analysis, pre-litigation, clearance and acquisition of technology, IP due diligence and portfolio strategy for venture capital, IPO readiness and other securities offerings, patent estate development, monetization strategies, and building intellectual property in anticipation of a sale. Known for bridging the gap between technical innovation and business strategy, Pat helps organizations use IP as a catalyst for growth, competitive advantage, and global leadership. His multidisciplinary background allows him to align IP strategy with core business objectives while effectively managing risk.
Pat’s clients include startups, federal agencies, corporations, brand and generic pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions. He has managed comprehensive IP portfolios for both Fortune 500 corporations and major research institutions. His global experience includes advising clients in Korea, Europe, and Japan.
He often counsels life sciences and pharmaceutical companies on complex matters, including Hatch-Waxman litigation and disputes under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). His technical experience spans a wide range of industries including biotechnology, medical devices, mechanical and chemical engineering, process development, and food chemistry.
Pat leads a department that advises across the full IP spectrum, including patents, trademarks, licensing, litigation, and strategic counseling. Under his leadership, Polsinelli’s IP Department has received numerous recognitions, including Chambers & Partners and U.S. News – Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms which named Polsinelli the 2023 “Law Firm of the Year” in Patent Law.
Education
- Washburn University School of Law (J.D., 1993)
- Kansas State University (B.S., 1990)
Bar Admission
- Missouri, 1995
- Kansas, 1993
- Admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Affiliations
- ALS Accel, Board Member
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Bar Association
- Intellectual Property International Trademark Association
- Della Lamb Board of Directors
Recognition
- Named a BTI Client Service All-Star, 2025
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars – Patent Star, 2024-2025
- Selected for inclusion in the IAM Patent 1000 list of the World's Leading Patent Practitioners, 2022-2026, Missouri - Recommended
- Selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year" in Kansas City, Missouri, for Trademark Law, 2023, 2026
- Ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Intellectual Property, Missouri, 2012-2026
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
- Patent Law, 2023-2026
- Trademark Law, 2022-2026
- Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2021-2026
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, 2011-2026
