Mark E. Deffner

Mark is a registered patent attorney and practices intellectual property law with an emphasis on patent prosecution. Before entering the legal profession, Mark worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a consultant. Mark then spent five years with the law firm of Merchant & Gould, including three years as an associate. Mark was previously co-chair of the MIPLA chemistry and biotechnology practice committee.

Mark has significant experience drafting and prosecuting patents in many different technical areas including general mechanical, business methods, software, medical devices, chemistry, biotechnology, and bioinformatics.

Mark believes that taking the time to learn his clients’ businesses allows him to provide more effective and valuable service. Therefore, Mark diligently works with his clients to understand what contributes to their bottom line and then tailors strategies to maximize realized value.

Mark was named a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine for 2008.

Education
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S., Biochemistry, with distinction, 1996; Phi Eta Sigma

Northwestern University
M.S., Biotechnology, 1998

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D., magna cum laude, 2002; Order of the Coif; Phi Kappa Phi
Minnesota Intellectual Property Review

Bar Admissions
Minnesota State Bar
Minnesota Federal District Bar
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Professional Affiliations
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA)

Mark E. Deffner
Mark has significant experience drafting and
prosecuting patents in many different technical areas including general
mechanical, business methods, software, medical devices, chemistry,
biotechnology, and bioinformatics.

Contact:
mdeffner@pdsdlaw.com

Direct Dial:
(612)746-4782