Mandy Wilson Decker
Mandy Wilson Decker is a Patent Attorney and member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group. Her practice focuses on intellectual property protection strategy, including counseling clients on infringement, validity and patentability, transfer of intellectual property, patent drafting, and patent prosecution. Contributing to her practice is a scientific background in chemistry and experience with academic and commercial research in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences.
Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property in the Bluegrass State
panel member, UK Innovate, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA), April 23, 2025
Understanding the IP Landscape: Career Paths and Practical Advice for Law Students
guest lecturer, University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, March 19, 2025
Intellectual Property and Research Disclosures
co-speaker, Bluegrass Biodesign, University of Louisville School of Medicine, November 18, 2024
Developed intellectual property portfolio protection strategies for various research institutions, universities, private companies, and entrepreneurs.
Prepared and prosecuted patent applications in a wide variety of chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, dermatologic, biotechnological, medical, and mechanical arts derived from both academic and commercial research.
Managed international patent portfolios and prosecution involving applications and patents in regions and countries including Australia, African Union (OAPI), Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Eurasia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Negotiate agreements to transfer or license intellectual property rights.
Retirement Plan Committee, Member (2024-present)
Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, Chair (2021)
Management Committee (2016-20)
SWIFT (Stites Women Investing in Our Future Together) Committee, Chair (2012-15)
Diversity Committee (2010-15)
Ethics Committee (2006-10)
Legal Aid Society, Justice for All Campaign Committee (2005-present), Chair (2019); Associates for Justice Campaign Committee, Chair (2007)
Leadership Louisville Center, Member (2014-present)
St. Agnes, Parish Council (2021-24), Chair (2022-23); School Board (2015-18), Chair (2017-18)
magna cum laude
University of Kentucky College of Law
Order of the Coif
Kentucky Law Journal, Staff Member, 2000-02
University of Kentucky
Honors Program
Ms. Decker joined the firm after working as a scientific research associate at the University of Kentucky in laboratories housed in the Advanced Science Technology and Commercialization Center (ASTeCC). Her scientific research experience also involved working with Niadyne, Inc., a biotechnology company involved in the research and development of dermatology products, including cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical skin care products to address various health care needs.
Ms. Decker served on the Board of Saint Agnes School from 2015-2018 and served as Chair during the 2017-18 school year. She also serves on the Annual Campaign Committee of the Legal Aid Society and is a member of the Leadership Louisville Center. She served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors for Crane House, a Louisville organization dedicated to improving understanding between Asia and the United States. During her time with Crane House she served as a Vice President, and as Chair of various committees including the Nominating Committee and Personnel Committee.
She also served as Chair and as a member of the Legal Aid Society Associates Campaign Committee for more than fifteen years. Ms. Decker has also been involved in a number of other non-profit organizations in the community, including Dress for Success Louisville and Junior League of Louisville. She lives in the Highlands with her husband, Deck, and their children, Molly Kate and Ben.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America®, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law (2020-25)
Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Intellectual Property (2017-24)
Managing Intellectual Property, Top 250 Women in IP (2014, 2016-24)
Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars (2013-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2025)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-14)
Leadership Louisville (2014)
Business First of Louisville, 20 People to Know in Law (2019)
Business First of Louisville, Partners in Health Care (2012-15)
Business First of Louisville, Partners in Health Care People to Watch (2011)
Business First of Louisville, "Forty under 40" (2008)
. . . provides in-depth expertise in life sciences when advising on patent prosecution and infringement actions . . . increasingly highlighted for her strength as a "prominent patent attorney."
Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property in the Bluegrass State
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
UK Gatton Student Center Ballroom 212A, 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, Kentucky 40508
IP attorney Mandy Wilson Decker will join a team of panelist for this event presented by UK Innovate, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) on Tuesday, April 23rd at UK's Gatton Student Center in Ball Room 212A.
USPTO’s New Continuation Fees Prompt Strategic Shifts and Raise Pendency Concerns
With the USPTO’s implementation of new fees for certain continuation patent applications, applicants now face important strategic decisions regarding the timing and management of their filings. IP attorney Mandy Decker takes a look at the new fees in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.
Changes Impacting Intellectual Property and Innovation Policies Under the New Trump Administration
Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has implemented several initiatives that significantly impact intellectual property (IP) and innovation in the United States. IP attorney Mandy Decker takes a look at those initatives in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 47 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2025
The 2025 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 47 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 34 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
October 2024 is Intellectual Property Month in Kentucky
The Governor of Kentucky has officially proclaimed that October 2024 is Intellectual Property Month! This was achieved through efforts of the Kentucky Intellectual Property Association (KYIPA), in partnership with KY Innovation, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section, and many other organizations in the Commonwealth. IP attorney Mandy Decker takes a look at what intellectual property is in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications
Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 97 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence according to the publication. Additionally, 12 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 30 attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
KBA Elects Mandy Wilson Decker and Donovan Gibbs II to Leadership Roles
The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) recently elected two Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to leadership roles in the Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section. Mandy Wilson Decker was elected Chair of the IP Law Section while Donovan D. Gibbs II was elected Vice Chair of the section. Both attorneys will serve a one-year term.
Managing IP Honors Mandy Wilson Decker for 10th Time on 2024 “Top 250 Women in IP” List
Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker to the 2024 edition of Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP.” This is the 10th time Decker has been honored on this list, and she is the only attorney honored from Kentucky.