Carla Ji-Eun Kim is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group. She also serves as the chair of the firm’s Patent Prosecution Practice. Carla advises a diverse group of biotechnology companies on building worldwide exclusivities around their products. In her practice, Carla focuses on finding and creating innovative ways to extend exclusivities that are well integrated with her clients’ technological and business objectives. For example, Carla counsels her clients on the preparation, prosecution, and management of complex worldwide patent portfolios in areas of biotechnology such as therapeutic antibody, therapeutic fusion protein, antisense technology, personalized medicine, vaccine, gene therapy, cell therapy, formulation, bioinformatics, and upstream and/or downstream protein manufacturing process.

Carla also has extensive experience in IP due diligence investigations and freedom to operate studies, and she prepares patentability, validity, and noninfringement opinions in connection with licensing, acquisition, and investment.

Carla received her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude, her M.S. in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota and her M.S. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Carla’s graduate research focused on molecular genetic mechanisms of DNA repair in mammalian cancer cells and developing an anti-angiogenic approach to cancer therapy and treatment. She earned her B.A. in biology, magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

Carla is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, teaching patent prosecution. When not at work, Carla loves yoga and hiking on the weekends.

  • IAM Patent 1000, “Washington, DC: Recommended – Patent Prosecution” (2023 – 2022)
  • LMG Life Sciences, “Finalist – Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year – DC Metro” (2022)
  • Managing IP, “IP Star” (2023 – 2022)
  • LMG Life Sciences, “Life Sciences Star” (2023 – 2020)
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal, “Women Worth Watching® in STEM” (2020)
  • Leaders League, “Innovation Technology & IP Rankings – Tier One, Patent Prosecution” (2017)

  • J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude
  • M.S., Pharmacology, University of Minnesota
  • M.S., Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.A., Biology, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, magna cum laude

  • District of Columbia

  • Korean

Speaking Engagement

Limitations of Patent Owner’s Rights: How to Navigate Legal Challenges and Balance Patent Owner’s Rights in Today’s Political Climate

Westlake Village, CA, Four Seasons Hotel, December 5, 2023 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM PST

Speaking Engagement

2023 Focus on Pharma

Washington, DC, April 14, 2023 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Written Description and Enablement: Current Cases and Pending Decisions

Alexandria, VA & Virtual, United States Patent and Trademark Office, March 23, 2023 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST

Speaking Engagement

Networking Speed Discussion: Are Patents Still the Golden Goose in IP or Have They Had Their Day?

Virtual, March 23, 2021 1:35 PM - 2:05 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Managing International IP Strategy Amidst A Shifting Global IP Landscape

Virtual, December 7, 2020 1:40 PM - 2:10 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Industry Review 2020: Life Sciences

Virtual, November 30, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

MIP Life Sciences Forum 2019

New York, NY, Convene at 810 Seventh Ave, September 18, 2019

Speaking Engagement

MIP Life Sciences Forum 2018

New York, NY, September 12, 2018

Related Resources

From Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

January 11, 2024

Raise Your Wands: Counsel Welcome USPTO's Enablement Guidance

Managing IP

In the News

January 4, 2024

Four US patent trends to watch in 2024

Managing IP

In the News

January 1, 2024

Patent Policy To Watch In 2024

Law360

In the News

November 3, 2023

Not So Secret Agents: Firms Eye Patent Drafting Efficiencies

Managing IP

Press Release

September 21, 2023

LMG Life Sciences Ranks Sterne Kessler and Seven Directors for Patent Litigation and Prosecution

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

July 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler and 14 Directors Earn Top Rankings in Managing IP’s 2023 “IP Stars” Guide

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Client Alert

February 23, 2023

Critical Dates for Europe’s New Unified Patent and Unitary Patent Court Now Certain

Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

October 17, 2022

Biotech 'New Era' in Store if Patent Revamp Overcomes Opposition

Bloomberg Law Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

September 22, 2022

Sterne Kessler and Seven Directors Recognized in LMG Life Sciences Rankings for the 10th Consecutive Year

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

September 9, 2022

Sterne Kessler Wins Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year Award at 2022 LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

August 12, 2022

New Patent Bill Could Boost Diagnostics, but Needs Work

Law360 Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

July 12, 2022

Sterne Kessler and 17 Directors Distinguished for Excellence in Patent Litigation and Prosecution in 2022 IAM Patent 1000

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

July 5, 2022

Sterne Kessler and 14 Directors Earn Top Rankings for IP Litigation and Prosecution in Managing IP’s 2022 “IP Stars” Guide

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

March 31, 2022

EU Unified Patent Court Spurs Delight and Fear for Experts

Law360 Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

October 22, 2021

Inside the Life of a Patent Prosecution Boss

Managing IP Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

September 29, 2021

Sterne Kessler and Seven Directors Earn Top-Tier Designations in 2021 LMG Life Sciences Rankings

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Firm Announcements

August 5, 2021

Sterne Kessler Raises over $25,000 for the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

In the News

July 14, 2021

Managing Rejection: How In-House Revive Failed USPTO Patents

Managing IP Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Webinar Recordings & Materials

December 9, 2020

IAM Industry Review 2020

Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Press Release

October 6, 2020

Firm and Seven Directors Recognized in 2020 LMG Life Sciences Rankings

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Donald J. Featherstone, Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Client Alert

July 7, 2020

IP Hot Topic: Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Reports

July 7, 2020

Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 7, 2020

Summary of Subject Matter Eligibility: Biotech/Pharma Inventions

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Carla Ji-Eun Kim, Daniel K. Choo, Ph.D.

Press Release

June 18, 2020

Directors Michelle K. Holoubek and Carla Ji-Eun Kim Named “Women Worth Watching® in STEM” by Profiles in Diversity Journal

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Carla Ji-Eun Kim, Daniel K. Choo, Ph.D.

Client Alert

April 2, 2020

USPTO Due Date Extension Available Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Carla Ji-Eun Kim, Monica Riva Talley

In the News

April 8, 2019

Managing IP America Awards 2019 Winners Revealed

Managing Intellectual Property Carla Ji-Eun Kim, Monica Riva Talley

Presentations

September 15, 2017

Focus on Pharma Conference 2017 PowerPoint Presentations

Carla Ji-Eun Kim, Monica Riva Talley

Global Patent Prosecution

August 15, 2017

Global Patent Prosecution Newsletter - August 2017

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

August 15, 2017

Considerations for Developing a Global Patent Term Extension Strategy

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Books and Chapters

June 28, 2017

Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Multiple Authors

Press Release

January 14, 2014

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Announces Election of Four New Directors

Multiple Authors