Managing Member/Partner

jedwards@edwardsneils.com

Jean has more than 20 years experience in the arena of intellectual property law in the Washington D.C. area. She specializes in counseling high technology companies on their IP portfolios - ranging from multi-million dollar companies to start-ups - as well as experience handling patent and trademark prosecution, copyright registration, patent litigation, opinion work, and licensing of all forms of IP rights. Jean also handles corporate matters, particularly for startups.

Technologies include wired circuit boards, imaging/optical equipment, radiographic equipment, computerized quality assurance methods, blood sorting technology, nanotechnology, financial systems, optical films, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer software, video games, semiconductors, fuel cells, automotive safety systems, military robotic vehicles, and consumer products. Jean has also represented clients in 337 litigation before the International Trade Commission (ITC).  In addition, Jean has a specialty in design patents.

Jean started her legal career in intellectual property at Sughrue Mion in 1996.  In 2000, Jean was Of Counsel at Sonnenschein, and then a Partner at Dickinson Wright LLP, all in Washington DC.  Jean headed the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Akerman Senterfitt LLP, Tysons Corner, Virginia, from 2005 until 2011, when she and Paul Neils started Edwards Neils in Reston, Virginia, before moving the office to Annapolis, Maryland, and to Nashville, Tennessee.

Prior to her legal career, Jean had 10 years of international experience with the U.S. government, and 5 years of experience as a mechanical engineer and Project Manager for Cordis Corporation, a medical devices company in Miami, Florida, as well as a year as the Manufacturing Manager for Elexis Corporation, a consumer electronics company.
Jean has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Miami, a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in French (Honors) from Emporia State University. Jean has her J.D. (Honors) from University of Miami, and her Master's degree (Honors) from Harvard University, in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine. 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. Jean speaks French, and some Spanish and Japanese.

pneils@edwardsneils.com

Paul Neils has almost 30 years experience in intellectual property law, of which 19 years were at Sughrue Mion, Washington DC, 10 years of which was as a Partner and Senior Manager.  Paul joined Akerman Senterfitt's Intellectual Property Practice, Tysons Corner, Virginia, in 2008, and is a founding member with Jean Edwards, of Edwards Neils in 2011.  Prior to Paul's law firm experience, he spent 6 years with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a Patent Examiner.

Paul has counseled major clients in all intellectual property issues, including patent prosecution, licensing, and opinion work in the technology areas of imaging equipment, DVD/CD technology, semiconductors, wired circuit boards, transportation systems, optical systems, sperm sorting, among others.

Paul is experienced in design patents, and has authored treatises in this specialized area. Paul has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, and a J.D. from Catholic University of America. Paul is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is a member of the Virginia and D.C. Bars.