Intellectual Property Services at Edwards Neils LLC

jedwards@edwardsneils.com

Jean has more than 25 years of experience in the field of intellectual property law. She specializes in counseling high technology companies on their IP portfolios, which range from multi-million dollar companies to start-ups. Her extensive experience includes patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright registration, supporting patent litigation, opinion work, and licensing of all forms of IP rights. Additionally, Jean manages corporate matters, particularly for startups.

Her expertise spans various technologies, including aeronautics, wired circuit boards, imaging/optical equipment, radiographic equipment, cell phone films, nanotechnology, financial systems, optical films, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer software, video games, semiconductors, fuel cells, automotive safety systems, robotic vehicles, and consumer products. Jean has also represented clients in a 337 litigation before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and has a specialty in design patents.

Jean began her legal career in intellectual property (IP) at Sughrue Mion in 1996. In 2000, she served as Of Counsel at Sonnenschein (now Dentons) and later became a Partner at Dickinson Wright LLP, all based in Washington DC. Jean headed the IP Group at Akerman Senterfitt LLP in Tysons Corner, Virginia, from 2005 until 2011, when she and Paul Neils founded Edwards Neils in Reston, Virginia, before relocating the office to Annapolis, Maryland, and then to Nashville, Tennessee.

Before her legal career, Jean gained 10 years of international experience with the U.S. government and spent 5 years as a mechanical engineer and Project Manager for Cordis Corporation, now part of Johnson and Johnson, in Miami, Florida. She also served a year as the Manufacturing Manager for Elexis Corporation, a consumer electronics company. 

Jean is an Adjunct Professor teaching IP and Business Law at Cumberland University, Lebanon, TN. 

Jean holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Miami, a B.S. in Physics, and a B.A. in French (Honors) from Emporia State University. She earned her J.D. (Honors) from the University of Miami and her Master's degree (Dean's List) from Harvard University in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, along with a Certificate in International Security from Harvard. Jean is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the Maryland, Virginia, D.C., and Florida Bars, as well as the Tennessee Bar. She speaks French and some Spanish.

Mark Cooper is a registered Patent Attorney with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of intellectual property law, including domestic and international patent law. His expertise spans patent prosecution, litigation support, infringement opinions, licensing, and agreements. Mark has extensive experience in the chemical, mechanical, and electrical arts, which encompasses pharmaceuticals, medical devices, films, adhesives, polymers, elastomers, and formulations.

Mark earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center and holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is licensed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is authorized to practice in Texas and Connecticut, specializing in patent prosecution and trademark registration.

Maureen has seven years of experience in intellectual property law at Edwards Neils, where she manages patent prosecution and trademark prosecution matters. She particularly specializes in trademark registration and takes great satisfaction in securing trademark registrations for the firm’s clients.

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.) from Kampala International University and a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) from the University of Maryland. During her time in law school, she clerked at the Supreme Court of Uganda in Kampala. Currently, Maureen is actively pursuing bar membership in the State of Maryland and is fluent in English, Swahili, and some German.

Max has fourteen years of experience in intellectual property law at Edwards Neils, mainly in Trademarks. He additionally has experience with cutting-edge computer software technologies, including AI. Max holds a Bachelor's degree in Digital Media from the Savannah College of Art and Design and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biotechnology at Harvard University. He plans to take the Patent Bar in the near future. Max also holds a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and a second Bachelor's degree in Literature from American University. Max speaks intermediate Spanish.

Paul Neils was one of the founding partners of Edwards Neils and was with the firm from 2011 until December 2021. He is remembered for his extensive experience in intellectual property law, amassing almost 30 years in the field. Of this, 19 years were spent at Sughrue Mion in Washington DC, where he served as a Partner and Senior Manager for a decade, focusing on patent prosecution. From 2008 to 2011, Paul was part of Akerman Senterfitt's Intellectual Property Practice in Tysons Corner, Virginia, where he contributed to trademark registration efforts. Before his law firm experience, he spent 6 years as a Patent Examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Paul authored treatises on design patents and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, as well as a J.D. from the Catholic University of America.