Areas of Focus

Chemical and Life Sciences

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia (B.S., Biochemistry, 1978)
University of Missouri-Columbia (B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1982)
Saint Louis University (J.D., 1994), Order of the Woolsack, cum laude

Bar Information

Missouri, Admitted 1994
United States Patent and Trademark Office, Admitted 2002

Professional Activities

Missouri Bar Association
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Civic Involvement

Member of a City of Clayton, Missouri, parks board.

Mr. Harper holds a third degree black belt in karate and is a volunteer youth and adult self-defense instructor in the St. Louis area.

Professional Summary

Jim Harper's practice focuses on patent application preparation and prosecution worldwide, intellectual property counseling, patent portfolio management, product design counseling for maximizing intellectual property value and protection, agreements, patent oppositions, and patentability, infringement and freedom to operate analyses and preparation of associated opinions. Mr. Harper has extensive foreign prosecution and patent opposition experience in countries and regions including the Andean Community (Colombia and Chile), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, Europe, the Federation of Russia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Venezuela and Ukraine.

Mr. Harper has experience in diverse technologies including small molecule pharmaceuticals, fermentation, grain processing, pesticides, optical imaging agents, silicon semiconductors, nanotechnology, solar energy, medical devices and complex chemical processes.

Mr. Harper began practicing law in 2000. Prior to that time he gained 20 years of industry experience in a wide variety of technical and managerial roles in the fields of biochemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, fermentation technology, botanicals, paints and coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. While in law school, Mr. Harper worked full time as a pharmaceutical manufacturing principal chemical engineer. Mr. Harper's technical background enables him to interface with inventors as a technical peer in order to effectively develop patent strategies and maximize intellectual property protection.

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