Erin E. Herdeman is an Associate Attorney at Merchant & Gould. Erin helps clients protect their intellectual property in the US and globally through strategic prosecution and litigation, primarily in Chemical and Life Sciences but spanning several fields of technology. From investigation to drafting, Erin offers a full spectrum of IP services to help clients achieve their long-term goals.

Supporting Clients With Personalized & Trustworthy Counsel

In the fields of prosecution and litigation, confidentiality is essential. Erin knows the importance of building trust with clients and keeping their ideas protected, especially when clients are solo inventors who are unfamiliar with the patent process

Erin focuses on building positive professional relationships with clients by finding common bonds between them. Through transparent and timely communication, she helps clients feel supported throughout the process.

Each client’s unique situation requires an individualized approach. A dedicated client advocate, Erin performs preliminary research prior to initial client meetings and takes time to learn about their IP’s distinctive features and qualities. This allows her to help clients build a customized plan that explores the possibilities for where they want to take their IP. 

Erin’s goal is to help clients use their IP as a way to meet their long-term business objectives. She finds out what they’re comfortable with and makes sure they’re involved in the process, keeping them fully informed throughout each development. By helping clients make informed decisions, Erin helps them prepare for future business changes and expansions.

From Medicine to Law

Originally planning to become a doctor, Erin graduated from Marquette University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences. However, she wanted to pursue a career that provided her the opportunity to build direct relationships while still supporting those making advancements in the medical field.

Deciding she could make a bigger difference in the legal field, Erin pivoted into IP law. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2022 and became a licensed attorney the same year.

During law school, Erin gained strong skills in oral advocacy as a competitor on the Giles Rich Intellectual Property Moot Court team, advancing to the national semi-final round.

Thanks to her scientific and technical background, Erin is able to effectively support clients who are creating technologies in the medical field and other chemical and life science-based industries. She finds great joy in studying their inventions and supporting their passion projects.

Passionate About Supporting Others

The patent process can be very lengthy and detailed, often taking many years to finalize. Through her enthusiasm and devotion, Erin makes the process as fun and enjoyable as possible for clients, helping them to maintain their excitement.

A true people person, Erin loves building relationships with her clients. She strives to be a part of the solution and see her clients get that big win. By diving deep into their goals and needs, Erin loves the satisfaction of tailoring personalized plans for clients that support their future business development. 

Outside of work, you’ll find Erin traveling, attending a group fitness class or cooking and trying new restaurants. Erin’s a big fan of basketball and also loves spending time with her dog, Bango (named after the Milwaukee Bucks mascot).