Although Chris Lewis handles all aspects of intellectual property law, he has become particularly experienced in patent prosecution (especially of chemical patents); opinions assessing infringement and validity; intellectual property due diligence; and the intellectual property aspects of transactions, including licenses. In particular, Mr. Lewis is responsible for RatnerPrestia's work in obtaining patents for clients whose products include catalytic converters, fuel cells, zeolites, and pharmaceutical products, among others. He has issued a wide range of opinions in a variety of technical areas, from infringement opinions of a single patent to opinions assessing validity, infringement and other issues of an entire patent portfolio of competitors of clients. Mr. Lewis has aided clients in assessing target companies' intellectual property prior to an acquisition.
In representing the firm's clients, Mr. Lewis recognizes that a law firm is part of the service industry, and he strives to provide prompt and quality service to the firm's clients. In addition, Mr. Lewis encourages providing seminars to a company's research and development team or other groups to strengthen the company's intellectual property portfolio. He has provided seminars on topics ranging from the basics of patent law including the America Invents Act, to discussions about traps in intellectual property due diligence and licensing.
After earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, Mr. Lewis enrolled in Villanova University School of Law, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1991 and whom he represented in the Giles S. Rich Moot Court Competition. He has served as Chair of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society (LES) and has spoken at LES meetings on intellectual property due diligence.
Mr. Lewis conducted an intellectual property overview entitled, "Intellectual Property Primer", at the First Annual Delaware Valley Corporate Counsel Association (DELVACCA) Paralegal/Legal Assistant Institute. He has been honored as a "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in the area of Intellectual Property Law.
Mr. Lewis is Chair of the Firm's BioChemPharma Group.
