Carolyn Blessing

Carolyn A. Blessing is a Partner in the Chicago office of Locke Lord LLP where she concentrates her practice in IP Pharmaceutical matters and Hatch-Waxman litigation. She represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in all aspects of federal intellectual property litigation, including pre-litigation activities, Paragraph IV Certifications, filing, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, motion practice, pre-trial, trial, post-trial, and appellate phases. Carolyn is the law school hiring partner for the Chicago office.

Prior to joining Locke Lord, Carolyn acted as lead associate for a family of four complex patent litigations involving both patent infringement and Hatch-Waxman litigation, and undertook substantial responsibility for drafting and filing court documents, coordinating large teams of attorneys and liaising with the client, co-counsel, opposing counsel and vendors on an extensive array of issues. She also assisted with all aspects of patent prosecution and counseling for biotechnology companies.

Before attending law school, Carolyn gained practical experience working as a neurobiologist for a major pharmaceutical company. While there, she participated in the investigation of multiple sclerosis treatments that focused on promoting and enhancing remyelination.

During her undergraduate studies, she conducted senior thesis research and authored a literature study on nuclear Actin Related Proteins (ARPs) and organized and led a project to characterize novel ARP proteins in yeast cells. Additionally, she interned in a pharmaceutical laboratory where she designed and conducted a study of the cross-resistance of test mammalian cancer cell lines to nucleoside based drugs.

Representative Experience :

• Representing generic drug manufacturers in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning one patent related to an oral formulation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (Gilenya®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturers in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning five patents related to an oral formulation for the treatment of depression (Trintellix®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturers in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning two patents relating to an oral formulation for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (Eliquis®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturer in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning one patent relating to an oral formulation for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) (Sensipar®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning three patents relating to an oral formulation for treating COPD (Daliresp®). Resolved matter through settlement.
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning two patents relating to a testosterone metered transdermal solution (Axiron®) and one patent relating to an applicator device, resulting in a district court verdict where all asserted formulation claims were found invalid and all asserted device claims were not infringed; on appeal, the Federal Circuit affirmed the judgment in its entirety.
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning oral formulations used to treat depression (Pristiq®). Resolved matter through settlement.
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in paragraph IV Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation concerning oral formulations used to treat ulcerative colitis (Asacol HD®). Resolved matter through settlement.
• At previous firm, represented a major pharmaceutical company in a Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning nine patents relating to one of their blockbuster brand-name drugs, resulting in a district court verdict where all asserted claims were found valid and enforceable and where defendants infringed all asserted claims.

Professional History :

• Associate, Locke Lord LLP (2012-2016)
• Associate, Kenyon & Kenyon LLP (2008-2012)

Professional Affiliations :

• Richard Linn American Inn of Court
  • Dinner Chair (2014-2015)
  • Secretary (2015-2016)
• Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
  • Chicago Chapter President and Member of the Executive Committee
  • Vice-President, Chicago Chapter (2018)
  • Recipient of the 2018 Coalition Leadership Award
  • Treasurer (2016, 2017)
  • Co-Chair, Associates Committee (2014-2016)
• Chicago Women in IP (ChiWIP)
  • Outreach Committee
  • Career Development Programs Committee (2016-2017)
  • Planning Committee (2015-2016)
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine Women’s Advisory Board
• Federal Circuit Bar Association (2010-Present)
• Hon. William C. Conner Inn of Court (2008-2012)

Education :

• J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School, 2008
  • Journal of College and University Law, Executive Production Manager (2007-08)
  • Intellectual Property Law Society, President (2007-08), Vice-President (2006-07)
• B.S., Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 2004
• B.A., English, University of Notre Dame, 2004

Admissions :

• New York, 2009
• District of Columbia, 2010
• Illinois, 2013

Admitted To Practice :

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2009
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 2009
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 2009
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2017