Practice Areas
Education
- B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986
- M.S., Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1996
- J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina, 2007
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2001
Deborah (Debby) H. Spencer
Debby Spencer is a molecular biologist who utilizes her years of experience working in large corporations, start-up business environments and academia to bring a broad-based intellectual property practice to her clients. Debby’s practice areas include patent, trademark, transactional and licensing work.
Debby counsels clients on obtaining, protecting, licensing and enforcing intellectual property, and has significant patent preparation and prosecution experience. Her experience further includes patent portfolio management, trademark filing and prosecution, licensing and transactional matters, assisting with freedom to operate and patent validity issues, and identifying the “state of the art” of specific technologies of interest to clients.
Debby currently represents Fortune 500 and start-up companies spanning a broad spectrum of technologies, including the biotechnology, bioagriculture, life sciences, medical device, mechanical, and computer software arts as well as the business method arts.
Prior to law school, Debby worked as a research scientist at the University of Virginia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, GlaxoWellcome, and at a start-up biotechnology company in Research Triangle Park, NC. While at the start-up biotechnology company, Debby implemented a novel system for utilizing robotic technology to create a fully automated genetic screening assay for plants. Debby additionally worked as a patent agent at the start-up biotechnology company, where she specialized in drafting and prosecuting patents in the biotechnology, bioinformatics, bioagriculture, imaging technology, computer software and business method arts.
Of Note
- Licensing Executives Society, Research Triangle Park Chapter Co-Chair, 2009-2011. The Chapter, led by three co-chairs, received the “Excellence in Leadership” award given at the LES USA/Canada 2010 Annual Meeting.
Speaking Engagements
- Spencer Invited to Speak for UNC Capstone Course, October 2011
- MVA RTP Office Hosts World IP Day Class, April 28, 2011
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association