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Christopher Lacenere, Ph.D., focuses his practice on patent portfolio development and prosecution in the life sciences sector. Based in Merchant &amp; Gould’s Boston office, Chris works with universities, startups, and research-driven companies to protect innovations across a range of technologies, including gene editing, RNA interference, protein-drug conjugates, oligonucleotide therapeutics, and biologics. He also advises clients developing medical devices and agricultural biotech products, as well as technologies outside of life sciences such as rotary engines and semiconductor manufacturing.

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Chris combines technical depth with strategic IP counsel, helping clients align their patent strategy with long-term business goals. He has extensive experience managing global portfolios, conducting due diligence, and guiding early-stage companies through the patent process. His industry and academic background enables him to work fluently across complex scientific disciplines, with particular insight into cutting-edge molecular biology and diagnostics. In addition to patent prosecution, Chris has contributed to complex life sciences litigation, supporting trial teams and expert witnesses on issues of infringement, invalidity, and claim construction.

Chris earned his J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School and holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the California Institute of Technology. He conducted his doctoral research on novel nucleic acid sequencing technologies and worked in industry validating bioactivity of therapeutic leads and evaluating high-throughput screening platforms. He is a member of the Alan D. Lourie Boston Intellectual Property Inn of Court and has been recognized in Massachusetts Rising Stars by Super Lawyers.

Suffolk University Law School, J.D., cum laude

California Institute of Technology, Ph.D. Biology

Carnegie Mellon University, B.S. Biological Sciences, with Honors

Boston

Merchant &amp; Gould, a premier intellectual property law firm, has opened an office in Boston, expanding the firm’s depth and breadth of experience into an important technology hub. This expansion brings a team of 13 highly regarded attorneys from the Sunstein law firm, a decades-old, well-known Boston IP boutique. The group brings substantial experience in Boston’s innovation ecosystem and further strengthens Merchant’s litigation, patent prosecution, and trademark practices.



“Boston is a natural fit for Merchant, as our strengths in life sciences and advanced technology and our 125-year history of protecting innovation are well-suited to the area’s technology, research, and venture capital communities,” said Heather Kliebenstein, Merchant’s Managing Partner. “Merchant’s presence in Boston enables closer collaboration with innovators across the region, supporting them at the earliest stages of development with a large bench of attorneys having deep technical and trial capabilities, a high degree of responsiveness, and close strategic coordination.”



The Boston office will be led by Office Managing Partner Kerry Timbers, an accomplished first-chair trial lawyer whose experience includes jury trials and arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The team also includes widely respected IP leader Bruce Sunstein and first-chair trial lawyer Lisa Tittemore. “Joining Merchant strengthens our client service by improving the breadth and depth of resources available to them,” said Sunstein. “Merchant’s deep technical bench and long history as a premier intellectual property and trial firm allow us to deliver even stronger outcomes.”



“Our decision to join Merchant was driven by a shared vision of attentive service and the opportunity to provide clients broader support,” said Timbers. “The firm’s national platform, combined with our team’s strengths, particularly in high-growth sectors such as biotechnology and software, creates a powerful synergy that benefits clients at every stage of the innovation lifecycle.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



Merchant has experienced rapid growth in the last two years, adding over 50 attorneys and professionals, doubling the size of its Washington, D.C. office, and opening an office in Los Angeles. As one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated exclusively to intellectual property, Merchant has a deep bench of attorneys, patent agents, scientists, and other professionals who handle some of the most complex IP challenges facing companies worldwide.

Merchant & Gould Opens Boston Office, Strengthening Its Depth and Breadth

Dorothy Real

Partner

Christopher Lacenere, Ph.D.

Alan D. Lourie Boston Intellectual Property Inn of Court, Member

Professional Affiliations

Selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Rising Stars, 2022-2024

Christopher Lacenere Ph.D.

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