Boston partner Jane Remillard leads the Life Sciences Intellectual Property Team and has over 25 years of experience providing worldwide patent counseling in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Jane's practice focuses on developing and implementing effective IP strategies, building strong patent portfolios, and facilitating commercialization of products, particularly antibody-based therapeutics, through all phases of development.

Why Patent Law?

I fell into my career out of a combined passion for science and law.  It was a chance to build a niche, since there weren’t many patent lawyers (or at least female ones) who specialized in biotechnology.  Being able to promote myself as an attorney with a specialty became a big advantage as I built my practice.

Advice to Other Lawyers

Treat every client, small or large, like they are your top priority.  Get to know them, on a personal and professional level.  Learn their priorities.  Listen to their needs.  Operate as a team, working enthusiastically toward the same goals.  That is the foundation to a successful, long-standing client relationship.  Your clients have many choices of talented attorneys, but want ones that are not only top in their field, but also enjoyable to work with.

Biggest Challenges

Client expectations.  Clients pay a lot for our services and expect a lot in return.  Many are not familiar with the amount and/or complexity of work involved with completing projects at high quality. Discussions up front to ensure clients understand and agree with the cost, scope and proposed end product are key to meeting, and better yet exceeding, their expectations.   

Biggest Successes

Clients I have represented and evolved with for over 25 years.

Traits admired in Others

• Being a person everyone enjoys interacting and working with.
• Desire to promote others.
• Ability to balance a demanding career with family / personal life. 
• Ability to remain positive, no matter the challenges of the day.
• Ability to know when you shouldn’t try to answer a question, and instead tell a client you need to look further into the matter.