Shawna Cannon Lemon, Ph.D.

Of Counsel | Patent Attorney

Shawna is a co-founder and serves as Of Counsel at Stanek Lemon. She brings 20+ years of patent experience, counseling pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies as well as university research teams on developing and implementing global patent strategies, managing all aspects of patent drafting and prosecution, and supporting strategic intellectual property initiatives. Shawna’s practice encompasses patent portfolio optimization, IP due diligence for transactions, partnering and licensing negotiations, and opinion work providing legal support that aligns intellectual property with business, research, and commercialization goals. She has a long record of working with innovators at all stages and offers seasoned judgment that helps clients anticipate risks and capture value. Outside of her legal practice, Shawna is an angel investor and venture fund investor, leveraging her business insight to help clients navigate commercialization and funding landscapes. Shawna’s blend of deep technical and legal experience, strategic perspective, and real-world business engagement makes her a trusted advisor for IP leaders seeking outside counsel capable of both technical excellence and practical, business-aligned patent strategy. Shawna was named the 2026 Business North Carolina Legal Elite Intellectual Property Category Winner. 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, since 2015
North Carolina Legal Elite, 2014, 2019, 2021-2026 (2026 IP Category Winner and Hall of Fame)
Super Lawyers, since 2021

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

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
Dress for Success Triangle NC (former member Board of Directors)
xElle Ventures early-stage Angel Network (Founder)
Cofounders Capital Venture Fund II (member)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (former member 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

Email:slemon@staneklemon.com