Overview Experience Case Studies Insights Events News Outside the Office Community Leadership

Sean O'Brien

Attorney

Minneapolis
phone: 612.349.5763
fax: 612.852.2701

email: [email protected]

Overview Experience Case Studies

Insights Events News

Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

Sean focuses on intellectual property law, particularly patent prosecution and litigation.

Sean chose to pursue a legal career out of a passion for both the sciences and humanities, along with an interest in the legal challenges presented by new technologies. With a background in mechanical engineering, he was especially drawn to patent law because it allowed for the use of technical knowledge in a legal context.

During law school, Sean was actively involved in the intellectual property moot court and the intellectual property clinic—and he continues his involvement today as an adjunct professor for the intellectual property moot court competition at University of Minnesota Law School. He also served as a patent agent and law clerk at an intellectual property law firm, gaining experience with patent prosecution, including the drafting of patent applications and office action responses and arguing successfully before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Known as a detail-oriented and effective communicator, Sean has a gift for explaining complex technologies. He’s also good at working directly with inventors thanks to his own background as a mechanical engineer.

Clients particularly appreciate Sean’s ability to make intricate technical details accessible and the genuine interest he shows in their innovations.

Services

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property Litigation

Patent Preparation & Prosecution

Education

J.D., Minnesota Law School
- Intellectual Property and Technology Law Concentration
- Dean’s List
M.S.M.E., University of Minnesota Duluth
- Thesis: Parametric Evaluation of Water Treeing in EPR-Insulated MV Cables Using FEA
B.S.M.E., University of Minnesota Duluth
- with distinction
- Dean’s List

Admissions

Minnesota
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Professional Memberships and Certifications

American Intellectual Property Law Association
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
Minnesota Engineer-In-Training (Registration No. 157407)
Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna Intellectual Property American Inn of Court

Outside the Office

After growing up in northern Wisconsin, Sean loves the outdoors. He especially enjoys walking in the woods, hiking, swimming in lakes, and riding a pontoon with friends and family in the summers. When he’s not out in nature, he’s usually checking out Minneapolis: he likes trying new restaurants, breweries, and bars and exploring the Twin Cities on foot.

Sean is also a traveler who loves visiting new places. His recent trips have included San Diego, Nashville, Boston, New Orleans, Estonia, and Finland, where he stayed at a remote northern farm next to a lake.

Sean hiking in San Luis Obispo, California.

A Colorado hiking trip.

Sean in San Francisco.

Pontooning in northern Wisconsin.

Sean in Tallinn, Estonia, at an old Olympic stadium.

Outside the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.

At a University of Minnesota 5.10k (in reference to the 510(k) FDA submission for new medical devices).

Community Leadership

Sean serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, teaching LAW 7086 Intellectual Property Moot Court Competition Team (the Giles Sutherland Rich American I.P. Law Association Moot Court Competition).