Biography

Liz is lead counsel on behalf of some of the most sophisticated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in the world, both in federal courts and in inter partes and post-grant review proceedings before U.S. Patent Office. She has led patent cases across the full range of biopharma technologies, including biologics, small molecules, formulation, and drug delivery. Liz’s experience, along with her deep training in molecular biology and biochemistry, has made her a highly sought-after litigator and counselor in the life sciences space. Liz is a former law clerk to Judge Lourie on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and licensed before the U.S. Patent Office, where she was recognized as one of the top inter partes review practitioners in 2018 by Managing Intellectual Property, and as one of the inaugural “Top 50 Women in PTAB Trials” by the PTAB Bar Association in 2019.
Liz has received wide recognition from clients, her peers, and the broader life sciences industry as a leader in the life sciences and patent litigation fields, and particularly as one of the top women in the profession. Her many accolades, driven by market and client feedback, include:
- Crain’s New York Business named Liz among the 2021 Notable Women in Law in recognition of her achievements, leadership, and contributions to the legal community.
- In 2018, Euromoney’s Americas Women in Business Law Awards named Liz as “Outstanding Practitioner,” an award given to just one lawyer each year in recognition of her services to the law.
- In 2017, LMG named Liz the winner of its “New York General Patent Litigator of the Year” award. LMG short-listed her for that award in 2016, 2018, and 2019, and also has named her a Life Sciences “Star” every year since 2014.
- Chambers USA: Since 2011, Liz has been recognized as a leading lawyer for patent litigation by Chambers USA, which has reported client and peer feedback that:
- Liz is “is particularly well versed in advising on life sciences matters.” She is “‘just fantastic…extremely proactive, efficient and well organized.’”
- Liz “impresses clients with her ‘command of the subject matter’ coupled with ‘outstanding communication skills.’ Her ‘top-notch client service’ is also praised, with sources describing her as ‘a delightful person to work with.’”
- Liz is “an accomplished trial lawyer” and “very litigation-savvy.”
- Liz “is able to manage the big picture and handle the small details simultaneously” and “continues to impress with her superb work as a patent litigator concentrating on biologics and pharmaceuticals.”
- Liz “inspires confidence and is praised for her ‘strong background in molecular biology and the life sciences, which allows her to communicate effectively with scientists and medical professionals and explain scientific concepts to non-scientists.’”
- Chambers Global: In 2019 and 2020, Liz was recognized in Chambers' international guide as among the top practitioners in the U.S. for patent litigation.
- IAM Patent 1000: Liz has been recommended for patent litigation in New York every year since 2012 by IAM Patent 1000, which notes that she “never fails to impress clients, for whom ‘her guidance on difficult patent cases and her thoughts on strategy are priceless’.” Previous editions of the publication called her “a life sciences doyenne who combines a sparkling intellect with legal creativity and commerciality,” and “one of the brightest and most sophisticated IP litigators you could have the pleasure of dealing with,” with “an instinct for balancing the legal and commercial issues pertinent to a case.” IAM also specifically calls attention to her “strong technical background in the life sciences, which she combines with a top-line understanding of patent law.”
- Managing Intellectual Property Top Women in IP: Liz has been named one of the global “Top 250 Women in IP” by Managing Intellectual Property and included in the publication’s list of “IP Stars” every year since 2013.
- Benchmark Litigation: Liz was selected as one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
- Legal 500: Liz has been identified for her work in life sciences every year since 2013 by Legal 500 US, which praises her “solid understanding of scientific issues.” Since 2018, she has also been singled out for her work in patent litigation.
- Super Lawyers Top Women for IP: Liz has been repeatedly named among the “Top Women” for Intellectual Property in New York by Super Lawyers.
Throughout her career, Liz has been and continues to be a leader and widely-respected colleague and mentor on her teams at Weil, in her community, and in the legal and academic fields more broadly. She regularly speaks on life sciences topics and served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University Law School, where she taught Biotechnology/Life Sciences Patent Law for seven years.
Liz also is a leader in public service and in her community. She has been honored for her pro bono work by the Legal Aid Society and Westchester Residential Opportunities, for which her team received the Harriett Goldberg Fair Housing Award. She recently completed a term on the Dean’s Visiting Committee of The University of Chicago Law School, and has previously served on the boards of Montclair Kimberley Academy and The Epilepsy Foundation.
From 1992 to 1994, Liz served as law clerk to the Honorable Alan D. Lourie, Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Liz received her J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School, where she was a member of The Law Review, and her B.A. from Northwestern University in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Prior to entering law school, she did graduate work at Princeton University in molecular biology.
Awards and Recognition, Speaking Engagements, Guides and Resources, Latest Thinking, Firm News & Announcements
Awards and Recognition
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Named Among 2021 Notable Women in Law Award Brief — Crain’s New York Business
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Named a “Leading” Lawyer for Intellectual Property: Patent, New York Award Brief — Chambers USA
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Named Among the Inaugural "Top 50 Women in PTAB Trials" Award Brief — The PTAB Bar Association, 2019
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Named a “Leading” Lawyer for Intellectual Property: Patent, United States Award Brief — Chambers Global
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Shortlisted for “General Patent Litigator of the Year – New York” Award Brief — Legal Media Group’s Sixth Annual Life Sciences Awards, 2018
Speaking Engagements
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A year in review: case law updates from PTAB
Speaker(s):
Elizabeth S. Weiswasser
October 06, 2020 — Virtual Event — Patent Litigation Co-Head Elizabeth Weiswasser moderated a panel discussing trends, decisions and Federal Circuit case law impacting practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at Managing Intellectual Property’s 2020 US Patent Forum.
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Leadership and building for the next generation during challenging times
Speaker(s):
Elizabeth S. Weiswasser
September 24, 2020 — Virtual Event — Patent Litigation and Life Sciences practices Co-Head Elizabeth Weiswasser appeared on a panel discussing the challenges faced in team-building and conducting litigation, prosecution and portfolio management under current circumstances at Managing Intellectual Property’s 2020 Life Sciences Forum.
Latest Thinking
- Litigation Trends 2019 Alert — By Weil’s Litigation Department — March 2019
Firm News & Announcements
- Elizabeth Weiswasser Named Among 2021 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s New York Business Firm Announcement — December 21, 2020
- Weil Highly Ranked in 2020 LMG Life Sciences Guide Firm Announcement — October 14, 2020