James De Vellis Named a Cleantech Open Mentor of the Year

Foley & Lardner LLP partner James De Vellis was recognized as a 2026 Specialist Mentor of the Year during Cleantech Open’s first East Coast-based Global Forum Showcase and Awards.

Cleantech Open is the world’s largest and longest-running cleantech accelerator. Over the past two decades, it has supported more than 4,000 entrepreneurs across the United States and globally through mentorship, training, and connections to investors and corporate partners.

De Vellis is an intellectual property lawyer focusing on patent portfolio development, related counseling, and post-grant practice. He is a member of the firm’s Electronics and Patent Office Trials Practices and chair of the Intellectual Property Department in Foley’s Boston office. De Vellis helps innovators secure both offensive and defensive patent protection, enabling them to operate in their intellectual space on their terms. He is also a member of the Innovation, Cleantech, Energy Transition, Automotive, Hydrogen, and Innovative Technology Sector Teams, as well as the firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Team.

Beyond his legal practice, De Vellis serves as an IP mentor for the Canadian Technology Accelerator program, Foresight Cleantech Accelerator, District 3 Innovation Hub, SVG Ventures Thrive AgTech Accelerator, and Greentown Labs.

Mentors were recognized in Massachusetts on October 22, 2026.