Biography
Elissa Knoff’s practice includes patent prosecution and client counseling across a broad range of technological areas, including medical devices, computer-implemented technologies, mechanical products, and electronics. She leverages her thorough understanding of patent law and her perspective on a patent’s lifecycle from procurement through enforcement in advising her clients. Elissa enjoys collaborating with clients to develop efficient and creative strategies for maximizing their patent portfolios, as well as advising clients by analyzing third-party patents and drafting opinions.
Elissa has also gained insight into her clients’ goals through an in-house secondment at a major medical device company. In that role, she negotiated license agreements and oversaw a large intellectual property portfolio. That experience highlighted for her the numerous considerations that motivate companies as they navigate intellectual property issues.
Elissa previously worked as a patent litigator, representing clients in various stages of litigation. Elissa has also worked as a litigation and patent portfolio analyst for a syndicated, subscription-based service that provides information regarding the lifecycle of pharmaceutical products. Through these experiences, Elissa developed insight into the rigors that litigation places on patents and the importance of developing strong patent portfolios which can be effectively asserted.
Prior to entering practice, Elissa served as a law clerk to the Honorable Timothy B. Dyk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. While in law school, Elissa served as an extern for the Honorable Joan H. Lefkow at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She also served as Executive Articles Editor for the Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property.
Highlights
- Acted as in-house counsel during secondment at a large medical device company.
- Represented clients in patent infringement litigation.
- Assisted with drafting of judicial opinions covering a wide range of technologies and legal issues as a law clerk at the Federal Circuit.
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
- Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, June 2014
- Northwestern University, M.S.Ed., Secondary Education, August 2010
- Northwestern University, B.A., Physics, June 2008
Professional Recognition
- Recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” for intellectual property, 2022-2024.
Publications
- Coauthor. “Supreme Court to Determine the Future of the PTAB’s Post-Grant Reviews,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert, June 16, 2017.
Organizations
- BoMc Associate Committee, Liaison, 2023