Member

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.

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Intellectual Property and Research Disclosures

co-speaker, Bluegrass Biodesign, University of Louisville School of Medicine, November 18, 2024

October 2024 is Intellectual Property Month in Kentucky

From Hang-ups to Breakthroughs: A New Era for Intellectual Property Policies

speaker, AUTM Central Region Meeting, Louisville, KY, July 15, 2024

Opening Session - Bourbon Brings It Together: Bourbon and Intellectual Property

panelist, AUTM Central Region Meeting, Louisville, KY, July 15, 2024

The Most-Read IP Law360 Guest Articles of 2023

by editor, Law360.com, December 22, 2023

Navigating Intellectual Property in Manufacturing

co-speaker, Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) 2023 Manufacturers Summit, Bowling Green, Ky., November 2, 2023

What 70% of Americans Don’t Understand About Intellectual Property

The challenges of protecting intellectual property

co-speaker, Startup Week Louisville, September 20, 2023

Meet Mandy Wilson Decker, KYIPA Board of Advisors Chair

by staff writer, KYIPA.org, July 19, 2023

UK Women Innovators Network Panel Discussion

Panel Moderator, University of Kentucky Office of Technology Commercialization, March 28, 2023

Decoding the Crypto Brand Super Bowl Commercials

Tech Transfer: Methods That Work, IIPCC Fall IP Experts Panel Series, Panel 3

Moderator, International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council (IIPCC), October 6, 2020

From Bench to Bar: Pursuing a Legal Career After Graduate Studies

University of Kentucky, College of Pharmacy, October 9, 2019

Patentability in the Context of Personalized Medicine, Novel Targets, Treatment Methods, and Repurposed Drugs

University of Kentucky, Office of Technology Commercialization, June 26, 2019

Do You Have a Competitive Advantage and Can You Protect It?

Lecturer, University of Louisville Translational Training Series, October 3, 2017

Protecting Intellectual Property

Lecturer, LaunchIt Entrepreneur Training Program Powered by Nucleus, October 15, 2015

Pursuing Patent Protection for University Technologies

Lecturer, SBCoA Seminar, January 24, 2014

Pursuing Patent Protection

Lecturer, Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Janelia Research Campus, December 11, 2013

Patent Prosecution

Lecturer, University of Kentucky College of Law, Intellectual Property Law, November 27, 2012

Understanding

Lecturer, Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Janelia Research Campus, July 18, 2012

Intellectual Property

presenter, Kentucky Innovation & Entrepreneurship Conference, Louisville, Ky., June 1, 2012

U.S. Supreme Court decision gives rise to new challenges for patent protection

America Invents Act: What's New in the New Patent Act?

Medical News, December 2011

Patent Prosecution

Lecturer, University of Kentucky, College of Law, Intellectual Property Law, November 17, 2011

Intellectual Property

Lecturer, University of Kentucky, Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM), October 27, 2011

Protecting Your Intellectual Property

University of Kentucky Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship and Kentucky BioAlliance, Lexington, Ky., October 13, 2011

Angel Investing Overview Seminar

Due Diligence Panel, Angel Resource Institute, Lexington, Ky., September 8, 2011

Developing and Integrating a Comprehensive IP Strategy in a Global Marketplace

Kentucky BioAlliance and Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), Louisville, Ky., June 21, 2011

Making their mark: Louisville patent attorneys play key roles in invention process

Partners in Health Care: People to Watch in 2011

Patent law - basics and strategies

Entrepreneurial Workshop 2010, Louisville, Ky., May 20, 2010

Mutant court case?

Biotechnology companies receive R&D incentive from Health Care Reform

Intellectual Property, Business Bootcamp

Ohio Valley Affiliates for Life Sciences (OVALS) Annual Meeting, Louisville, Ky., April 2010

Biotechnology and Life Sciences Patent Prosecution Special Interest Group

Facilitator, Association of University Technology Managers Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La., March 2010

IP Practices Growing

Life Sciences Technology: Ten Intellectual Property Issues to Consider

Author, Medical News, Louisville, Ky., May 2009

The Developing Landscape of Biotechnology Patent Law

Co-moderator, Association of University Technology Managers Annual Meeting, Orlando, Fla., February 2009

Protecting Your Ideas

Kentucky Innovation & Enterprise Conference, Lexington, Ky., April 2008

Intellectual Property and Marketing 101

Panelist, Business Bootcamp / Ohio Valley Affiliates for Life Sciences, Louisville, Ky., April 2008

Biotechnology Panel

Moderator, Law Ethics and Life Sciences Conference, Louisville, Ky., October 2007

Leveraging and Protecting Intellectual Property

SBIR/STTR National Conference, Small Business Research Institute and Small Business Technology Transfer, Louisville, Ky., May 2006

IP Update: The Plain English News You Can Use

Association of University Technology Managers, Graduate Course, Tempe, Ariz., November 2004

Key Business Topics: Intellectual Property

Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (STTR) Conference (SWIFT), Louisville, Ky., September 2004

Intellectual Property Basics

Center for Higher Education Law, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Pharmaceutical Patent Protection: More Generic Favored Legislation May Cause Pioneer Drug Companies to Pull the Plug on Innovation

Wilson, M.V., 90 Kentucky Law Journal 495 (2002)

Functional Pathways of NAD Biosynthesis in Human Skin Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes

Jacobson, E.L., Wilson, M.V., Roberts, M.J., Jacobson, M.K., Abstract, 114 Journal of Investigative Dermatology 850 (2000)

PARP Null Mouse Cells Synthesize ADP-ribose Polymers

Shieh, W.M., Amé, J.-C., Wilson, M.V., Wang, L.-Q., Koh, D., Jacobson, M.K., Jacobson, E.L., 273 Journal of Biological Chemistry 30069 (1998)
Recent Assignments
Bar Admissions
Kentucky
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Firm Leadership

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)

Memberships
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA), Board of Advisors, Chair (2023-present); Executive Advisory Committee (2021-present)
American Bar Association, Health Law Section
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
Kentucky Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Chair (2024-25)
Louisville Bar Association
Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)
American Health Lawyers Association
Community Involvement

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)

Education
More Than Stites & Harbison

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.

Accolades

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 (2017-23)

Managing Intellectual Property, Top 250 Women in IP (2014, 2016-24)

Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars (2013-24)

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)

Testimonials

. . . 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."

- Chambers Commentary (USA)
MH AV 2024 300
Decker Mandy W Chambers2023
Decker Best Lawyers 2025
Deckersuperlaw
IP Star rosette 2018
Top 250 Women IP 2018
See more related to Mandy Wilson Decker
Client Alerts

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.

by Mandy Wilson Decker October 23, 2024
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 16, 2024
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 16, 2024
Press Releases

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.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 09, 2024
Press Releases

Managing IP Honors Stites & Harbison Attorneys on “IP Stars” 2024 List

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 20,—Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine has named nine Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to the 2024 “IP Stars” list. Managing IP recognizes the most highly regarded intellectual property attorneys in the U.S.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 02, 2024
Press Releases

Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2024 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC June 07, 2024
Client Alerts

What 70% of Americans Don’t Understand About Intellectual Property

Mandy Decker takes a look at the different types of intellectual property in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by Mandy Wilson Decker October 26, 2023
Events

Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) 2023 Manufacturers Summit

Date: 11/1/23 - 11/3/23

Knicely Conference Center, 2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

IP attorney Mandy Decker will be a speaker at this year's 2023 KAM Manufacturers Summit in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Nov. 1-3, 2023.

Mandy Wilson Decker October 26, 2023