Kiri Lee Sharon

Partner

Kiri Lee Sharon counsels clients on intellectual property matters throughout the IP lifecycle, from pre-filing strategy through patent enforcement and licensing. Kiri takes pride in providing clear and commercially focused advice to her clients. She is a partner in the firm’s Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies and Electronics Practices and Patent Office Trials Group.

Kiri supports an international and diverse clientele, including start-ups, universities, and large global corporations. She is adept at handling large international patent portfolios, including patent prosecution, appeals, and reissues.

Kiri regularly analyzes infringement, validity, and freedom-to-operate and also conducts due diligence investigations. She has significant experience with post-grant and ITC proceedings.

Kiri advises on IP rights relating to medical devices and drug-device combination products; biotech; imaging; printing; control systems; automotive and aircraft technologies, and a wide range of other technologies. She also has an active design patent practice focusing on consumer and industrial goods.

Kiri was previously seconded to a large Japanese company to work with their in-house department on printing technologies. Kiri continues to advise a number of leading companies in Japan.

Before joining Foley, Kiri worked as an engineer for a large multinational corporation. Kiri also worked as an undergraduate research fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. During law school, Kiri was a judicial intern for the Honorable Henry H. Kennedy, Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Community Involvement

  • Member, Young Lawyer’s Alliance of the Legal Counsel for the Elderly in Washington, D.C.

Presentations and Publications

14 December 2023 Events

Navigating Clean Beauty: Fine Lines and Wrinkles with Regulatory and IP Strategies

Join us for a timely and comprehensive analysis of the clean beauty industry with Foley Fashion, Apparel & Beauty (FAB) attorneys and special guest, Claire Bing of Confiance Cosmetic Group LLC.
03 November 2023 In the News

Kiri Lee Sharon Co-Authors Article on Cosmetics IP Considerations in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Kiri Lee Sharon co-authored The Global Legal Post article, “A guide to registering and protecting cosmetics in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.”
15 August 2023

Limitations In Seeking Trade Dress With Patent Protection

Brand owners versed in intellectual property rights management often use a combination of trade dress, trademarks and patents to protect their IP. Multiple forms of protection can be valuable for companies in pursuing exclusivity for their products, but there are important limitations to be aware of when seeking both trade dress and patent protection.
07 August 2023 Article

How Rights Owners Can Be Proactive With CBP Enforcement

Ever since the U.S. Customs and Border Protection designated intellectual property rights, or IPRs, as a priority trade issue, the agency has seized billions of dollars in counterfeit goods.
25 May 2023

Spring 2023 JIPA Seminar Series: U.S. Intellectual Property Law Update

Foley is pleased to once again partner with the Japan Intellectual Property Association, the country’s largest private organization concerned with intellectual property rights, to present its members with a biannual update on intellectual property developments in the United States.
28 March 2023 Events

Understanding IP Protection and Anti-Counterfeiting Measures for Cosmetics

On March 28, Foley Partner Kiri Lee Sharon will speak on the panel “Understanding IP Protections and Anti-Counterfeiting Assurances for Cosmetics” at the American Conference Institute’s (ACI) Upcoming 10th Annual Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Forum on Cosmetics & Personal Care Products.