J. Derek Mason, Ph.D., CLP, CPVA

As a former chemist in industry with a doctorate in organic chemistry, Derek’s thorough understanding of the sciences and technologies surrounding clients’ innovations enables him to skillfully represent their interests across the full spectrum of chemical and related technologies, including pharmaceuticals, medical and biotech diagnostic devices, polymers, nanotechnology, textiles, and petrochemicals. His practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution, licensing, IP issues arising in corporate transactions, client counseling, and opinions on IP issues.

Derek works with both domestic and international clients to advise them over a broad range of IP concerns, including conducting M&A due diligence investigations, patent valuation analysis, and risk assessment related to IP ownership, establishing and developing patent portfolios, avoiding infringement when launching products, and crafting and implementing procedures to protect and enhance their inventions and add value. His practice also includes counseling clients on the relationship between patents and the FDA (including Orange Book issues), innovative design-around strategies, the interplay of utility and design patents, trade secret protection, procuring plant patents and plant variety protection (PVP) certificates, and litigation avoidance.

While obtaining his doctorate and undergraduate degrees, Derek studied organometalloid chemistry and conducted research in the area of organic photochemistry, publishing and presenting papers in both of these areas. Before entering his patent law practice, Derek worked as a chemist for a diversified international chemical company.

Derek and his wife, Sarah, are newly obsessed with the fastest-growing sport in the United States – pickleball – and use it as a vehicle for building community: playing, teaching new players, and organizing events to bring players together. They also enjoy volunteering in local food charities, playing golf, and watching college athletics (in an ACC house divided between UNC and Wake Forest) – when not spending time with their growing family, which includes five adult children, their four spouses, three grandkids, two parents, and a furry kitty named Sudie.