Lei Zhou is a counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group where she advises a diverse range of clients in the pharmaceutical, chemical and material science (polymers) spaces.

Lei’s practice includes assisting clients with creating and managing strategic patent portfolios; conducting patent prosecution, due diligence investigations and freedom to operate studies; and rendering validity and non-infringement opinions.

Lei was an associate and director at Sterne Kessler between 2005 and 2016. She returned to Sterne Kessler in 2025 after eight years with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Before becoming a lawyer, Lei worked as a research chemist at Monsanto, Solutia and Ferro Corporation.

Lei earned her J.D. from University of Akron School of Law; her M.S. degrees in Polymer Chemistry and Polymer Science from Wichita State University and East China University of Chemical Technology; and her B.A. degree in Plastic Engineering from Nanjing University of Chemical Technology.

  • J.D., University of Akron School of Law
  • M.S., Polymer Chemistry, Wichita State University
  • M.S., Polymer Science, East China University of Chemical Technology
  • B.S., Plastic Engineering, Nanjing University of Chemical Technology

  • District of Columbia

  • Chinese (Mandarin)