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Susan S. Jackson

Practice Area Leader - Intellectual Property
+1.704.331.7410
Fax +1..704.353.3110

Ms. Jackson is a partner in the Charlotte office and focuses her practice on all aspects of patents, trademarks, copyrights and unfair competition, as well as client counseling, licensing and opinion work. She places particular emphasis on patent and trademark preparation and prosecution, utilizing her unique chemical engineering background. Ms. Jackson has a depth of experience in chemical and materials-related inventions in the areas of specialty chemicals, chemistry, additives, surfactants, pigments, antimicrobials, energy, fuel cells, materials, films, fibers, nonwovens, polymers, bioengineering, and medical devices.  Ms. Jackson has experience across a wide range of industries in providing opinions including patentability, non-infringement, and invalidity opinions.  She has experience in representing both international and domestic clients having both U.S. and foreign patent portfolios.

In addition to her patent practice, Ms. Jackson has a robust trademark practice.  Ms. Jackson represents clients on trademark matters across a wide-range on industries including retail, technology, computer and other industries.  She has experience in representing companies with large trademark portfolios, both U.S. and foreign.

In addition, Ms. Jackson has experience in representing financial and other service institutions in intellectual property matters including patent, trademark, licensing, and opinion work.  Ms. Jackson has also counseled clients on technology licensing and technology development agreements.

Professional Background

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Jackson was an in-house intellectual property lawyer at Clariant Corporation. She was a guest lecturer on intellectual property at Wake Forest University MBA program in 2007.

Achievements

  • Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law, 2011
  • Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law, 2010
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Star Intellectual Property 2010
  • Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law, 2009
  • "Diversity in Business" award from Charlotte Business Journal, 2006
  • "40 Under 40" award from Charlotte Business Journal for outstanding achievements in both business and community involvement, 2004

Professional/Civic Activities

  • North Carolina Bar Association, Women In Profession Committee, 2011
  • Charlotte Women's Bar, Chapter of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, First President and Founding Member, 2005-2006; Member, 2006-present   
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association   
  • Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association, Immediate Past President, 2004-2005; President, 2003-2004; First Vice-President, 2002-2003; Second Vice-President, 2001-2002; Secretary, 2000-2001; Board of Managers, 1999-2000   
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Member   
  • Wake Forest School of Law, Law Alumni Council, 2007-2009
  • Wake Forest School of Law Board of Visitors, 2009

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker on "Intellectual Property" at ExporTech, a joint program held by the Industrial Extension Service of NC State University and the U.S. Export Assistance Center, June 2009
  • "Why Intellectual Property? Fundamentals and Issue Spotting in a Business Environment," CLE presentation to In-House Counsel, April 2007   
  • "The Interface Between Patent Law and Antitrust Law," CLE presentation, 2006 
  • "International Intellectual Property Protection," presentation at Leaders In Innovation Seminar Series sponsored by CPCC, the NC District Export Council and the Carolinas US Export Assistance Centers, February 15, 2005
  • "Import and Export Traps for the Unwary," presentation at North Carolina Bar Association's International Law Section Annual Meeting, May 15, 2003   
  • "Technology Licensing," presentation at Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law Seminar sponsored by Lorman, December 11, 2002 
  • Represented global specialty chemicals company and prepared and prosecuted patent applications in areas of surfactants, additives, masterbatches, dyes, and pigments
  • Represented national retail chain in private label branding effort and managaing its trademark portfolio
  • Represented a major U.S. financial institution in preparation and prosecution of patent applications for inventions in areas including information security, on-line banking, on-line financial transactions, financial instruments and products
  • Represented a university in receiving and managing intellectual property donations from corporate donors, including a $38 million donation - the largest in the university's history
  • Represented medical and research institutions in preparation and prosecution of patent applications in bio-chemical systems, bioengineering and medical-related inventions