Kevin is a patent attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area with many years of experience leading inhouse IP teams. He is focused on establishing strategic IP foundations that enable businesses to lead in their technical fields, while creating room for lateral growth and new opportunities. To Kevin, this means partnering closely with engineering teams to understand the nuances of what makes their innovations truly great, engaging with business leaders to align the IP tools in their toolbox with where the business is going, and looking for creative ways to overcome IP obstacles that would otherwise have the potential to slow the business down.

He has led the IP function at early stage startups and multi-billion dollar publicly traded companies. Kevin's experience includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, open source software, cyber security, dispute resolution, ITC matters, litigation, enforcement, M&A, and joint ventures.

Kevin stays engaged with broad cross-sections of evolving technologies, and is currently focused on finding ways for companies to more freely collaborate and share IP related to environmental sustainability.

Nicki Kennedy is Co-Leader of Kilpatrick's Chemistry and Life Sciences practice. She is a registered patent attorney who concentrates her practice on patent-related matters with a focus on client counseling, patent prosecution, domestic and international patent portfolio development and management, and post grant proceedings. Additionally, Ms. Kennedy’s practice includes invalidity, patentability, non-infringement, and freedom-to operate opinions.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Kennedy worked as an associate in a boutique intellectual property law firm in Northern Virginia, where she also focused on patent law. Previously, Ms. Kennedy was a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office where she examined patent applications in the organic chemistry field, including polymer, pharmaceutical, transdermal and cosmetic patent applications.

Prior to her experience at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Ms. Kennedy was an associate at a boutique law firm where she focused on import and export law, particularly under the Export Administration Regulations. She also gained technical experience working in a small pharmaceutical research lab.

Ms. Kennedy was recognized as a 2018 Washington, D.C. "Rising Star" for Intellectual Property by Super Lawyers magazine. In 2020, she was recommended by Legal 500 US for Patent Prosecution. In 2023, Ms. Kennedy received Casa Cornelia’s "Pro Bono Publico Award" for her outstanding pro bono contributions in seeking and obtaining asylum for the firm's client, a young boy from Afghanistan who fled to the U.S. for his life after the Taliban took control.

Christopher Thomas advises clients on developing patent strategies tailored to meeting business goals and analyzing patent-related risks and opportunities. Chris focuses on advancing the business goals of clients in the United States and abroad by implementing strategies that position and protect his client’s business expansion and growth. His practice includes client counseling; efficiently managing, growing, and protecting worldwide patent portfolios; conducting IP due diligences to support investment and acquisitions; negotiating patent licenses; challenging/defending patents at the PTAB; and advising on patent litigation matters. Chris’ litigation experience relates to assisting with evaluating patent litigation risks from third-parties and developing strategies for mitigating those risks. His litigation experience also includes developing inter partes review (IPR) and post grant review (PGR) strategies in concert with concurrent litigation. His technical focus includes chemistry, chemical engineering, industrial chemicals, biotechnology, medical devices, material science, metallurgy, nanotechnology, mechanical devices, and consumer products.

Chris was recognized in 2024 as one of the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" for Intellectual Property Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. He was recognized as a Washington D.C. “Rising Star” in 2024 and the four years immediately preceding for Intellectual Property by Super Lawyers magazine. In 2022, Chris was named to the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, which recognizes the contributions of those D.C. Bar members who made significant contributions to pro bono service.

Prior to joining Kilpatrick, Chris served as a law clerk in the Office of Unfair Import Investigations of the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., where he assisted in Section 337 litigation for various IP issues. Before practicing law, Chris researched nanotechnology techniques for the design and manufacture of non-oxide nanoparticles for cancer treatment.

Rodney Rothwell, a patent attorney with over 19 years of experience, specializes in patenting groundbreaking innovations, with a particular emphasis on the convergence of artificial intelligence, machine learning, informatics, and computer-related technologies in the life sciences. His commitment extends beyond traditional patent prosecution and procurement, as he crafts customized patent strategies (including landscape analysis, competitor assessment, global patent filing strategies, defensive and offensive patent strategies, alternative means of protecting intellectual property, and collaborative partnerships) that align with his clients' business goals.

Rodney possesses expertise across a spectrum of disciplines, including bioinformatics, computer vision, autonomous systems, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, particularly at the confluence of artificial intelligence and machine learning within the life sciences domain. His active contributions have significantly impacted advancements in signal detection within liquid biopsy, drug discovery and development, digital pathology, genetic engineering and therapy, and digital health through meticulous and strategic patenting initiatives.

Rodney has been deeply involved in patenting artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for well over a decade. His success in preparing and obtaining high valued patents in this specialized area highlights his skill in crafting claims that resonate well with patent offices around the world and makes him a recognized authority, contributing significantly to the blending of software technology and life sciences. By staying up-to-date with the latest tech trends, laws, and policies, Rodney offers valuable advice on how these emerging technologies can be best protected. This ensures that inventors, legal teams, and patent examiners understand the details, increasing the chances of obtaining high valued patents.