Shawna is a co-managing shareholder of Stanek Lemon. She serves as an outside patent counsel to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device management teams and universities, where she engages in the formulation and implementation of global patent strategies. In addition to drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Shawna assists clients with intellectual property due diligence, partnering negotiations, licensing, and opinion work, and she provides trademark assistance.

Shawna is also an angel investor and venture fund investor and uses her experience to assist her clients. She has co-authored publications in scientific journals and frequently speaks to various audiences about patent law topics. Before her legal career, Shawna worked in pharmaceutical market development at Merck & Co., Inc.

Honors and Awards

• 2020 Triangle Business Journal Women in Business Award
• Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2024
• North Carolina Legal Elite, 2014, 2021-2023
• Super Lawyers, 2021-2024

Education

• The University of North Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2001
• The University of South Carolina, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences/Pharmacology, 1995
• Wofford College, B.S., Biology, 1990

Activities & Affiliations

• American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) (member)
• North Carolina Bar Association – Intellectual Property Section: secretary; co-chair, Diversity subcommittee; past Council member; past chair, Pro Bono subcommittee; and past co-chair, Biotechnology and Chemical Patent Practice subcommittee
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Corporate Advisory Council – Carolinas Chapter)
• Dress for Success Triangle NC (Board of Directors)
• xElle Ventures early-stage Angel Network (Founder and Board of Directors)
• RTP Capital Associates Angel Network (member)
• Cofounders Capital Venture Fund II (member)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Board of Visitors)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Parents Council Past National Chairs)
• Wofford College Alumni Board (2016-2018)
• Raleigh Chamber of Commerce—Emerging Leaders Program (2014)
• The Junior League of Raleigh (2002-2005)
• Parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina
• New York
• United States Patent and Trademark Office
• All state courts in North Carolina
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
• Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit