Partner at Wiley Rein, LLP
Mary has nearly 30 years of experience in microbiology and patent law. Trained initially as a molecular virologist, she focuses primarily on biotech and pharmaceutical patent law and the development of intellectual property strategy in both procurement and litigation settings. As a former judicial clerk to (now Senior) Circuit Judge Raymond C. Clevenger III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Mary combines appellate practice with patent litigation strategy. Having served as in-house counsel, as well as working in molecular biology and genetics labs prior to law school, she brings a unique perspective to her work. She understands not only the technologies with which clients work, but the ways in which an intellectual property portfolio can add value from a business development angle.
Mary currently teaches as an adjunct at Georgetown University, and formerly taught as an adjunct at the American University Washington College of Law. She also served as the first director of the University of Maryland School of Law's IP clinic.
Umoya, Inc.
New Hampshire
Umoya is a not-for-profit international wholesale carrier focused on purchasing and building Internet capacity between sovereign nations to enable low cost, high bandwidth connectivity for every person on the planet.
Wiley Rein LLP
Washington | Batimore, District of Columbia
Earth Sangha
Washington, District of Columbia
Founded in 1997, the Earth Sangha is a nonprofit public charity based in the Washington, DC, area committed to practical environmental action as an expression of the Buddhist way of life. (“Sangha” is a Buddhist term for congregation or community.)
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
Baker & Hostetler LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Schwartz Sung & Webster, LLP
The American University Washington College of Law
Washington, District of Columbia
University of Maryland School of Law
Maryland
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLPMcKenna
RIGHT
North American Vaccine
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
(appointed)District of Columbia
Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Raymond C. Clevenger III, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
May 2025
Works with major pharmaceutical corporations in biologics, small molecule, and device technologies. Provides patent procurement services, freedom to operate assessments, due diligence analysis, and invalidity and non-infringement opinions. Strengthened a biologics patent portfolio, including Hatch-Waxman term extension, central to a transaction worth more than $200 million. Works with start-up companies on development of IP portfolios, including biologics, small molecules, and software technologies. Counseled drug delivery start-up through process of developing IP rights in the area: from first provisional patent to now-developed global portfolio of more than forty patents, negotiated numerous collaboration and license agreements, and ensured that client was provided with freedom to operate and acquired IP rights in order to sustain long-term security and international success. Counseled oncology and recombinant antibody client in building a biotech patent portfolio and ensured the creation and maintenance of a high-value portfolio that would protect and enhance business goals. Represents a major university in patent procurement projects involving vaccine technology. Assisted in development of strategy that allowed client to out-license technology to major vaccine developers. Assisted in many other patent procurement projects for universities and has negotiated licensing and collaboration agreements to allow technologies developed in universities to be shared with big pharma corporations and other organizations. Working with a public nonprofit charity organization to obtain trademark protection for uniquely grown and harvested coffee, and to protect the client’s distinct charity work in the area of restoration and preservation of native plant communities in northern Virginia and the Dominican Republic.
The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel Vol. 22, No. 3
March 2014
LinkBioWorld Today
April 2014
Mary Sylvia, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Intellectual Property Practice, was quoted in an April 15 article published in BioWorld Today about a split decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that invalidated two patents owned by Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. on the grounds of obviousness.
BioWorld Today
February 2014
Mary Sylvia, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Intellectual Property Practice, was quoted in a February 7 BioWorld Today article about a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling on a stem cell product.
Wiley.law
February 2014
Wiley Rein is pleased to announce that A. Neal Seth, Lawrence M. Sung, and Mary Sylvia have joined the firm as partners in its esteemed Intellectual Property Practice. The team—which brings a dynamic combination of scientific credentials and legal acumen—will advise clients on patent litigation strategy and appeals, patent prosecution and portfolio matters, dispute settlements, and technology transfer in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and chemical industries.
Wiley.law
February 2021
LinkAmerican Society for Microbiology Microbe 2016 — Boston, MA
June 2016
American Society for Microbiology Graduate and Postdoctoral Opportunities — Washington, DC
October 2016