Sean Dean, Ph.D.

In the highly competitive world of innovation, protecting intellectual property assets is paramount for businesses and inventors across all sectors. For those in Massachusetts seeking to secure their inventions, manage complex patent portfolios, or navigate the intricacies of product development, a seasoned and technically astute legal professional is indispensable. Sean Dean, Ph.D., a principal at the esteemed intellectual property law firm, Fish & Richardson P.C. in Boston, stands out as a leading expert in these critical areas. With a unique background encompassing a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and extensive legal experience, Dr. Dean provides comprehensive counseling, patent prosecution, and strategic advice for a wide array of technologies.

Sean M. Dean, Ph.D.'s practice at Fish & Richardson emphasizes a multifaceted approach to intellectual property. His work spans counseling, patent prosecution, opinion work, product development, product clearance, due diligence studies, and the strategic development and management of patent portfolios. What truly sets him apart is his ability to leverage his deep engineering experience to assist clients in protecting a diverse range of innovations. This includes bioremediation techniques, medical devices, electro-mechanical devices, water and wastewater treatment technologies, oil and gas production methods and equipment, and fluid flow control mechanisms. Beyond these specialized areas, he has also worked with clients across a broad spectrum of other technologies, such as robotics, mining equipment and methods, military hardware, security systems and sensors, semiconductor-related devices, consumer products, and computer peripheral devices.

A significant aspect of Dr. Dean’s expertise lies in helping clients monetize their intellectual property portfolios. This is particularly crucial in today’s dynamic business environment, where IP assets can play a vital role in financing rounds, company sales, and the strategic sale of patents following a shift in technical focus. His comprehensive understanding of both the technical and business sides of IP allows him to provide invaluable guidance to clients, ensuring their innovations are not only protected but also strategically leveraged for commercial success.

Sean Dean, Ph.D., operates from the Boston office of Fish & Richardson P.C., located in a highly accessible and prominent part of the city. His office is situated at:

Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA 02210, USA

This address places him in the heart of Boston's dynamic Seaport District, a burgeoning hub of innovation, technology, and business. The location offers exceptional convenience for clients, whether they are commuting from within Boston or from other parts of Massachusetts. The Seaport District is well-served by public transportation, including the MBTA Silver Line, and is easily accessible by car with proximity to major highways. This strategic and convenient location underscores Fish & Richardson's commitment to providing seamless and professional legal services to the local business and innovation communities in Massachusetts, ensuring that clients can readily access top-tier intellectual property expertise.

Sean Dean, Ph.D., provides a comprehensive suite of intellectual property services, with a strong focus on guiding clients through the entire patent lifecycle. His key service areas include:

• Patent Prosecution: Guiding clients through the process of drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to secure robust patent protection for their inventions.
• Patent Portfolio Management: Developing and implementing strategies for the effective management of patent portfolios, ensuring alignment with business objectives and maximizing the value of intellectual property assets.
• Strategic Patent Counseling & Opinions: Providing expert legal opinions on patentability, infringement, validity, and freedom-to-operate, helping clients make informed decisions regarding their products and technologies.
• Product Development and Clearance: Advising clients during the product development phase to identify potential intellectual property risks and clear products for market entry, minimizing the risk of infringement claims.
• Due Diligence Studies: Conducting thorough intellectual property due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, financing rounds, and other corporate transactions to assess IP assets and liabilities.
• IP Monetization: Assisting clients in strategies for monetizing their intellectual property, including through licensing, sale of patent portfolios, or leveraging IP in financing and M&A activities.
• Technology-Specific Expertise: Leveraging his engineering background to provide specialized counsel on a wide array of complex technologies, from medical devices and cleantech to semiconductors and robotics.

Sean Dean, Ph.D., stands out due to a unique blend of academic, professional, and military experiences that bolster his legal practice. Key features and highlights include:

• Distinguished Academic Background: Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan (1998), an M.S.E. in Environmental Engineering (1993) from the same institution, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Duke University (1987). This robust technical foundation allows him to deeply understand complex scientific and engineering concepts at the core of his clients' innovations.
• Extensive Engineering Experience: Prior to his legal career, he worked as an environmental engineer for Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. (1998-2001) and Applied Science Inc. (1994-1997), managing modeling and system design for groundwater remediation and surface water management projects. This practical experience provides a real-world perspective to his legal advice.
• Military Service: Sean served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1987-2008, retiring as a Commander from the U.S. Navy Reserve. This background instills a strong sense of discipline, strategic thinking, and leadership in his approach to legal challenges.
• Admissions: Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (2004) and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2000), allowing him to represent clients in both state courts and before the federal agency responsible for granting patents.
• IP Star Recognition: Consistently recognized as an "IP Star" by Managing IP from 2013-2024, an accolade that reflects his high standing and expertise in the intellectual property field as judged by peers and clients.
• Pro Bono Commitment: Named to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's Pro Bono Honor Roll for providing significant pro bono hours (2022-2023), demonstrating his dedication to community service and access to justice.
• Thought Leadership: Participated in speaking engagements such as "Qatar University Hosts Patents Symposium on Intellectual Property Rights" and "Intellectual Property Issues" for Massachusetts Professional Engineers, showcasing his commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the IP field.

While specialized intellectual property law firms like Fish & Richardson P.C. and their principals, such as Sean Dean, Ph.D., typically do not offer standard "promotions" in the traditional consumer sense, they focus on providing unparalleled value through their expertise and strategic guidance. Their commitment is to long-term client relationships and achieving the best possible outcomes for complex intellectual property matters. Businesses and inventors in Massachusetts interested in securing or managing their patent portfolios are encouraged to directly contact Fish & Richardson P.C. to discuss their specific needs. During an initial consultation, you can learn more about their comprehensive services, fee structures, and how their team can tailor solutions to your unique intellectual property challenges. The firm also regularly publishes insights and hosts events that provide valuable information to the IP community, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to client education and support.

For businesses, inventors, and innovators in Massachusetts seeking expert legal counsel in patent prosecution and intellectual property portfolio management, you can connect with Sean Dean, Ph.D., and Fish & Richardson P.C. using the following contact information:

Address: Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Phone: (617) 542-5070

Mobile Phone: +1 617-542-5070

Calling the provided phone number will connect you to the main office of Fish & Richardson P.C. in Boston, where you can arrange a consultation or direct your inquiry to Dr. Dean's team. The firm's strategic location in the innovative Seaport District makes it easily accessible for local clients seeking top-tier intellectual property legal services.

For local users in Massachusetts, especially those involved in technology, manufacturing, medical devices, cleantech, and other innovative industries, Sean Dean, Ph.D., and Fish & Richardson P.C. are an exceptionally suitable choice for their intellectual property needs. Dr. Dean's rare combination of a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and decades of legal experience in patent prosecution and portfolio management means he possesses a profound understanding of both the scientific and legal dimensions of innovation. This dual expertise is crucial for accurately assessing the patentability of inventions, crafting strong patent applications, and developing effective strategies for managing and monetizing intellectual property assets. His background in diverse technologies ensures that he can effectively represent clients across a wide range of industries that are vital to Massachusetts' economy. Furthermore, his commitment to pro bono work and public speaking underscores his dedication to both the legal profession and the broader community. For Massachusetts-based innovators looking for an attorney who speaks their technical language and offers comprehensive, strategic IP guidance, partnering with Sean Dean provides the confidence that their valuable inventions are in highly capable and experienced hands right here in Boston.