Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Lee-Ann Smith-Freeman is a highly experienced legal professional with a strong background in intellectual property and product-related matters. As the Vice President of Legal at Delfi Diagnostics, she leverages her expertise to provide strategic counsel and drive the company's legal initiatives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Vice President of Legal at Delfi Diagnostics, Lee-Ann is responsible for overseeing the company's legal affairs, with a focus on intellectual property protection, product compliance, and risk management. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's legal strategy, ensuring that its operations and growth plans are aligned with industry regulations and best practices.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Lee-Ann served as the Associate General Counsel, IP & Product at Twist Bioscience, where she led the company's intellectual property portfolio management and provided legal guidance on product development and commercialization. She has also held several other positions within Twist Bioscience, including Senior Director of Intellectual Property Counsel and Intellectual Property Counsel.
Earlier in her career, Lee-Ann worked as a Patent Attorney at various law firms, including Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP and Zilka-Kotab, PC. She gained valuable experience in patent prosecution, IP strategy, and client counseling during these roles.
Academic Background
Lee-Ann holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law, where she demonstrated academic excellence and served as a Legal Research Assistant. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the University of Richmond, where she conducted research in both organic chemistry and mathematics.
Areas of Expertise
- Intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- Product development and commercialization
- Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Strategic legal counsel and decision-making
- Collaborative leadership and cross-functional teamwork
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Lee-Ann has made significant contributions to the legal and biotechnology industries. She has successfully managed complex intellectual property portfolios, ensuring effective protection of her clients' innovations. Additionally, her expertise in product-related legal matters has been instrumental in supporting the successful commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.
Conclusion
With over a decade of experience in the legal field, Lee-Ann Smith-Freeman has established herself as a respected and versatile legal professional. In her current role as Vice President of Legal at Delfi Diagnostics, she continues to drive the company's legal strategy, protect its intellectual property, and contribute to its overall success. Her deep industry knowledge, strong technical acumen, and strategic leadership make her a valuable asset to her organization and the broader biotechnology community.
