Attorneys of the Year: Teresa Lavoie

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Patent attorney Teresa Lavoie’s work with biotech companies combines science, law and business in a practice that has grown with the rapidly expanding industry.

Lavoie, a principal in the Minneapolis office of Fish & Richardson, worked with her team to file 47 patent applications on behalf of IFM Therapeutics in the year ending in June 2017. That work paid off in August with the $2.3 billion acquisition of IFM by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Lavoie last year also led patent counseling and IP diligence projects related to financial offerings that raised $380 million for Loxo Oncology, and obtained the first patent for vegan food startup Impossible Foods, covering its “plant-based burger.”

“I have clients developing life-saving drugs and cutting-edge biotechnology inventions; it’s extremely fast-paced, but exciting to see them succeed,” Lavoie said.

Lavoie completed her law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School after earning a doctorate in chemistry at Princeton University.

“I love the dedication to solving a critical unmet medical or environmental need,” Lavoie said of the biotech industry. “The focus on helping patients as well as developing and building a business inspires me.”

Lavoie also chairs the firm’s EMPOWER (Enrichment, Mentorship, Partnering, Opportunities, Wisdom, Excellence and Responsibility) Program, which offers expanded professional and business development opportunities and addresses issues of importance to women in the legal profession.