Karen Potter

Karen G. Potter is an associate in McKenna, Long & Aldridge's intellectual property and technology practice. Potter focuses her practice on intellectual property law in the biotechnology and life science fields, including patent preparation, prosecution, diligence and counseling of clients. Her knowledge of patent systems, and her technical expertise in molecular and cell biology and immunology, enable her to quickly grasp complex technologies and propose patent strategies that are of value to clients. Potter represents small and mid-size biotechnology companies, and she has contributed to the issuance of numerous patents in the United States and international jurisdictions on behalf of the clients she represents.

Potter also has published on intellectual property-related issues that impact the biotechnology community. Most recently, Potter has published on topics related to the Supreme Court's decision in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics Inc., and on issues related to implementation of new patent laws in the United States this year under the America Invents Act.

Potter is a member of the firm-wide associates committee, and heads the associates committee in the North County San Diego office of McKenna. She also is an active member of the firm’s San Diego/Orange County women's steering committee.

Potter volunteers her time to firm-sponsored volunteer opportunities, as well as other professional organizations. She is a member of the biotechnology committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and serves on the diagnostics and gene patenting subcommittee and regional/social subcommittee.

Potter graduated magna cum laude from California Western School of Law in 2010, which she attended part-time while working fulltime as a patent agent. Potter worked as a patent agent for national and international law firms for five years prior to graduating law school. She also is a Ph.D. scientist with a graduate degree from Duke University in cell and molecular biology, and has post-doctoral research experience from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology.