Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is pleased to announce that partners David Fournier, Allison Glasunow, Ph.D., and Kourtney Mueller Merrill have joined the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group and Life Sciences industry team. The group brings extensive experience advising clients in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and broader technology sectors. They were previously partners at Perkins Coie LLP.
“Dave, Allison and Kourtney represent an exciting step forward in the continued expansion of our Life Sciences sector,” said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. “Their collective scientific insight and legal experience align perfectly with our existing intellectual property capabilities to serve clients developing breakthrough technologies across life sciences and beyond.”
“We’re excited to welcome Dave, Allison and Kourtney to the firm,” said Lorna Tanner, co-leader of the firm’s Life Sciences industry team. “Their patent strategy, portfolio management and trial experience in the life sciences sector, spanning therapeutics and diagnostics add depth to a practice that consistently earns recognition for client success and innovation. They bring an outstanding combination of technical fluency and legal expertise that will further elevate the service we provide to innovative clients across life sciences.”
Fournier advises clients on pharmaceutical, biologic, medical device and consumer product patents, with a focus on exclusivity planning, strategic global portfolio development and regulatory compliance under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act, Public Health Service Act and the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. Fournier has actively been involved with abbreviated new drug application litigation, Orange Book listings, patent term extensions, FDA exclusivity and post-grant proceedings including reissues, inter partes reviews, reexaminations, European oppositions and post-grant reviews. He also leads IP due diligence for complex transactions, and provides opinions on freedom-to-operate, inventorship and patentability. His background includes clinical research and patent work at a major pharmaceutical company, with graduate research on protein kinase C isozyme expression in endometrial carcinomas. He earned his B.A., cum laude, from Lake Forest College, his M.S. from Northwestern University and his J.D., cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law.
Glasunow advises life sciences companies on patent strategy, portfolio development and legal issues related to patentability, invalidity and freedom to operate, while also supporting complex patent litigation and due diligence. She brings deep technical expertise in immunotherapy, genomics, gene editing, stem cell and cancer therapies, cardiovascular and neurovascular treatments, peptide therapeutics and medical diagnostics. Her experience spans CAR T-cell therapies, antibodies, ADCs, CRISPR-based technologies, RNAi delivery, checkpoint inhibitors, high-throughput sequencing, neurostimulation and fatty acid-based treatments, offering clients both scientific insight and strategic IP guidance across a range of therapeutic and diagnostic innovations. She earned her B.S. from Seattle Pacific University, her Ph.D. from the University of Washington School of Medicine and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Merrill represents leading life sciences and technology companies in complex intellectual property disputes, with a focus on patent litigation, inter partes reviews and IP-related commercial conflicts. She regularly appears before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the U.S. International Trade Commission and trial courts nationwide, handling all stages of litigation. With experience across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, she brings deep technical fluency to high-stakes matters and advises on utility and design patents, trade secrets and unfair competition. She earned her B.S., with highest distinction, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her J.D., with honors, Order of the Coif, from the University of Texas School of Law.
“I’ve long admired the firm’s talent and collaborative culture, and I’m excited to join a group that’s helping to lead the growth of the Life Sciences platform,” said Fournier. “What attracted me to Sheppard Mullin is the firm’s clear, strategic commitment to the life sciences industry, an area where innovation is fast-moving and high impact. The team’s integrated approach, deep scientific fluency and proven track record supporting companies across the full life cycle are truly impressive.”
“The intersection of science and law has always energized me, and Sheppard Mullin excels at that intersection,” said Glasunow. “The firm’s Life Sciences team is highly collaborative and client-focused, helping startups and established biotech companies navigate legal and regulatory complexity with clarity and strategic precision. I look forward to bringing my scientific training and IP experience to a collaborative environment that values technical excellence, strategic thinking and real-world impact.”
“Sheppard Mullin stands out for its ability to deliver integrated legal counsel that supports the full lifecycle of innovation in the life sciences space,” said Merrill. “From early-stage capital strategy to global IP protection, the firm’s approach is comprehensive and client-centric. I’m thrilled to join a team that’s as committed to empowering inventors and entrepreneurs as it is to delivering top-tier legal service.”
About Sheppard Mullin’s Life Sciences Industry Team
Sheppard Mullin’s Life Sciences industry team represents a diverse client base in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, digital health and medtech sectors, ranging from large publicly traded organizations to early and mid-stage start-up companies. Attorneys in the U.S., and internationally through our offices in London, Brussels, Seoul and Shanghai, assist companies with strategic issues in every phase of their growth cycle. Our team is comprised of a number of attorneys, patent agents and scientific advisors who possess hands-on research experience and advanced degrees, including in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology and biomedical engineering, to fully support the legal needs of our clients.
About Sheppard Mullin’s Intellectual Property Practice Group
Sheppard Mullin is a leader in the protection of intellectual property rights, as well as in assisting our clients to exploit their commercial potential. The group has significant expertise in all laws governing patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, false advertising, unfair competition, counterfeiting and grey marketing. We also possess significant experience litigating in common forums for patent litigation, including in California, Delaware and the Eastern District of Texas, as well as before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in inter partes review proceedings. Our prosecution and counseling team develops global IP portfolios, prepares opinions and performs product clearance. We perform IP due diligence for investors and acquirers of target IP. Our diverse client base ranges from Fortune 50 and multinational corporations to innovative start-ups and individuals across a wide spectrum of industries.