Erin M. Dunston

Erin M. Dunston is a partner at Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP whose practice focuses on patent procurement, opinions, enforcement, Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings, and portfolio strategy. She works with clients ranging from individual inventors to large multinational companies. Her matters are concentrated in life sciences, including small molecules, biologics, antibodies, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, targeted delivery, vaccines, and related computer technology.

Erin earned a J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Boston College. Her scientific background supports work that requires close analysis of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical-device technologies. She is admitted in the District of Columbia and Virginia and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Supreme Court of the United States, the Federal Circuit, and the Eastern District of Virginia.

Erin has built a practice combining patent prosecution and litigation, using experience in each area to inform the other. Her work includes district court patent disputes, inter partes reviews, interferences, post-grant proceedings, prosecution strategy, patent opinions, and portfolio development. She advises patent owners and challengers and handles matters from pre-filing analysis through appeals. Her representative experience includes disputes involving pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, vaccines, radiotherapy devices, and other scientific technologies.

Erin M. Dunston is co-chair of her firm’s post-grant group and has been recognized by intellectual property publications and peer-review programs. She has participated in professional education concerning PTAB practice and patent strategy and has served in leadership roles within the intellectual property community. Her practice combines scientific training, patent prosecution, litigation, and post-grant experience to help clients protect, challenge, evaluate, and manage complex patent rights.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, Virginia State Bar
• Past President, Bar Association of the District of Columbia
• Former President, McGeorge School of Law Alumni Board
• Member, Patent Litigation Section, Federal Circuit Bar Association
• Member, Pauline Newman American IP Inn of Court
• Member, Post-Grant Patent Office Practice Committee, Intellectual Property Owners Association
• Member, Intellectual Property Owners Association

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• Virginia

Education

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Boston College
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry

Awards & Badges