Katherine A. Hamer

Katherine A. Hamer

Shareholder

Katherine’s practice emphasizes the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications for chemical inventions in the aerospace, biofuels, environmental, green energy, national defense, nuclear, semiconductor devices and fabrication, separations and chromatography, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and drug delivery industries. She also has extensive experience advising clients on their patent portfolios in light of changing business strategies. Katherine has industry experience in purifying and isolating small molecules and proteins from spider and scorpion venoms, performing high throughput screening of small molecules, enzyme characterization studies, synthesizing and purifying small molecules, and analyzing mining samples.

Katherine has conducted programs for clients on intellectual property-related issues, as well as career-oriented programs for those interested in a career change and considering patent law.

Professional Recognition
  • Utah Legal Elite – 2018-2020
  • Best Lawyers – 2020-2024
Areas of Special Expertise
  • Chemical compositions and chemical processes
  • Infringement, validity, and enforceability evaluations
  • Intellectual property due diligence for mergers and acquisitions
  • Patent and technology portfolio assessments and audits
  • Product clearance opinions
  • Strategic counseling regarding intellectual property
  • Technology evaluation and invention identification
Bar Admissions
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Colorado
  • Utah
  • Washington
Education
  • Reed College, B.A. Chemistry
  • University of Utah College of Law, J.D. – Semifinalist in the Regional Division of the National Trial Competition
Prior Professional Experience
  • Research Associate, NPS Pharmaceuticals
Publications
  • Suchyna, T.M., J.H. Johnson, K. Hamer, J.F. Leykam, D.A. Gage, H.F. Clemo, C.M. Baumgarten, F. Sachs. “Identification of a peptide toxin from Grammostola spatulate spider venom that blocks cation-selective stretch-activated channels.” Journal of General Physiology, May 2000; 115(5):583-98.
  • “Out of the Blue: What to do if you’re accused of patent infringement,” Utah Business, July 2017, p. 28