Tamsen Barrett
Biography
Tamsen Barrett is a seasoned intellectual property attorney with nearly 20 years of experience specializing in patent prosecution and strategic IP portfolio development. She works closely with clients as a trusted partner, taking a collaborative approach to help them secure, manage and commercialize their intellectual property in alignment with their business objectives. Her practice spans the life sciences, consumer markets, food and agriculture industries, where she helps companies—from emerging startups to global enterprises—navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property.
Tamsen has extensive experience in domestic and international patent prosecution, guiding clients through every stage of the patent process to build strong, commercially valuable portfolios. She has a proven track record of obtaining high-value patents in pharmaceutical formulations and delivery systems, small molecule therapeutics, medical technologies, renewable and clean energy, consumer product formulations, food sciences, agricultural innovations, chemical coatings and alloys.
With a strong commitment to teamwork, Tamsen partners with clients to develop tailored intellectual property strategies that align with their business goals. She regularly provides patentability, validity, freedom-to-operate and enforceability opinions, empowering clients to make informed decisions about their IP assets. She also advises on global patent prosecution strategies, overseeing filings in multiple jurisdictions and coordinating with foreign counsel to ensure comprehensive protection. Her experience before the US Patent and Trademark Office includes appeals and oral arguments before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
By integrating legal expertise with a deep understanding of science and business, Tamsen helps clients turn innovation into competitive advantage. She is dedicated to working side by side with her clients, ensuring their intellectual property portfolios support and drive their long-term success.
Professional experience
Representative experience
Representative experience
- Strategic portfolio development and management for small, medium and large companies and universities
- Formulate IP Policies for companies of all sizes and structures
- Experience in preparing patent applications, responses to office actions, appeal briefs, examiner interviews and a variety of other related prosecution matters
- Formulate strategies for prosecuting patent applications in foreign jurisdictions and supervise execution of those strategies
- Develop and manage strategies and process of IP review and clearance during and after product development
- Manage the monitoring and maintenance of a company's patent portfolio
- Coordinate and perform due diligence for clients looking to acquire or sell intellectual property
- Prepare applications for Plant Variety Protection
Rankings and recognitions
Rankings and recognitions
- Texas Lawyer On the Rise, Texas Lawyer, ALM, 2019
- Texas Rising Star, IP, Thomson Reuters, 2017
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Best Lawyers, 2024 - 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Patent, Best Lawyers, 2024 - 2025
Education
Education
JD, University of Pittsburgh, 2006
BS, Biochemistry, Iowa State University, 2003
While in law school, Tamsen was honored as a member of the Order of the Barristers and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Patent Law in 2004. Tamsen also participated in the Giles Rich Moot Court Competition and served as the Vice President to the Student Intellectual Property Law Society.
Tamsen is admitted to practice in Texas and Minnesota.
Admissions
Admissions
- Minnesota State Bar
- Texas State Bar
- US Patent and Trademark Attorney
Publications
Publications
- Author, "Formulation patent strategies carry untapped potential," Law360, August 2022
- Co-author, "Global patents comparative law guide: Sufficiency of disclosure," Norton Rose Fulbright, April 2022
- Co-author, "Engaging more women in academic innovation: Findings and recommendations," National Academy of Inventors, February 19, 2022
- "New USPTO subject matter eligibility (35 USC § 101) examiner guidance and life science examples," Health Law Pulse, May 9, 2016
- "Healthcare and Technology," under Materials at https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Annual_Meeting_Home&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=30096, May 26, 2016.
- "Supreme Court addresses indefiniteness in Nautilus: Claim must 'inform with reasonable certainty'," Norton Rose Fulbright - Legal update, June 03, 2014.
- "En Banc Federal Circuit Holds Section 112, First Paragraph Does Include A Separate Written Description Requirement," Fulbright Briefing, March 26, 2010.
Speaking engagements
Speaking engagements
- "Inventorship: Let's Help Each Other," AUTM Webinar, Austin TX, February 2019
- "Intellectual Property and Licensing," Texas Medical Device Alliance (TMDA) Quarterly Meeting, Austin, TX, February 2019
- "Where Are All the Women Inventors?", AUTM Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, February 2018
- "Inventorship: Let's Help each Other," AUTM Central Region Meeting, Chicago, IL July 2017
- "From Josephine Cochran to Stephanie Kwolek: Women Inventors and Trailblazers," Austin, TX, October 2016
- "Health Care and Technology," State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Fort Worth, TX, June 2016
- "Stem Cells: From Controversy to Commercialization," South by Southwest Interactive, Austin, TX, March 2016
- "Hot Legal Issues for Life Science Companies in 2015," BioAustin Seminar, Austin, TX, August 2015
- "What the Aftermath of Hurricane Alice has Done to Digital Health," Texas Life Science Forum, Houston, TX, May 2015
- "Austin's Biotech Boom: 5 Revolutionary Startups," South by Southwest Interactive, Austin, TX, March 2015
- "Basics of Intellectual Property Protection," mhca's Innovation Incubator, Austin, TX, November 2014
- "Basics of Intellectual Property Protection," Austin Technology Incubator Lunch and Learn, Austin, TX, April 2014
- "Basics of Intellectual Property Protection for Start Ups," UT Horizon Fund 2nd Annual Student Investment Competition, Austin, TX, May 2013
- "Micro Entity Status and the AIA," Austin, TX March 2013
- "Portfolio Development After the AIA," Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal 14th Annual Intellectual Property Symposium, Austin, TX, February 2013
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- Austin Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- US Patent and Trademark Office
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of Minnesota
- Pro bono services to Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts
Insights and news
Insights
News
