Patricia Prior is a partner with Greer Burns & Crain in Chicago.

Her intellectual property law practice focuses on patent prosecution in the US and foreign countries. She is highly experienced in preparing patentability, validity, clearance, and infringement opinions, and client counseling in various intellectual property law matters with a concentration in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical devices.

Ms. Prior was a lecturer for Patent Resources Group’s “‘Designing Around’ Valid US Patents” course from 2000-2020.

She is a former adjunct professor at the Ohio State University College of Law, New York University School of Law, and Capital University Law School in Patent Law, Patent Prosecution, and Patent Litigation.

Ms. Prior received a J.D. (summa cum laude, Order of the Coif) from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1986.

She clerked for the Hon. Edward S. Smith at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from 1986-1988.

Ms. Prior received an LL.M in Trade Regulation from New York University School of Law in 1998.

Before that, she received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1981. She worked as a research engineer for a multinational company for several years before attending law school.

Ms. Prior is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago.

Bar Memberships

• State of Ohio
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Professional Associations

• Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago

Example Technical Fields

• Polymers and Polymer Composites
• Ceramic Coatings
• Barrier Coatings
• Corrosion Inhibiting Coatings
• Adhesives
• Liquid Crystals
• Catalysts
• Permanent Magnets
• Nanofiber Technology
• Fuel Cells
• Lithium Battery Technology
• Spray Equipment
• Medical Devices
• Ambulance Cots
• Blown Film Dies