Shawn K. Leppo is co-chair of the McNees Intellectual Property Group, where he helps guide the firm’s approach to innovation protection and intellectual property portfolio strategy. His practice spans all aspects of IP law, with a primary focus on patent matters, including patent prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and risk avoidance strategies.
He advises clients on strategic IP portfolio development and management, evaluates and prepares non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and structures and negotiates complex agreements, involving patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and product development. He also provides counsel on IP aspects of diligence in mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions.
Shawn helps clients align their IP strategy with broader business goals, maximizing innovation value while minimizing legal and competitive risk.
With an international practice, Shawn partners with an extensive global network of foreign counsel to manage intellectual property portfolios worldwide. He represents clients across a variety of technical and manufacturing industries, including advanced materials, medical textiles, food processing, and construction robotics. Drawing on his background in chemical engineering, he is well-versed in navigating complex intellectual property issues in these sectors.
Shawn is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and regularly writes and speaks on developments in patent law, artificial intelligence, and IP strategy in the context of business transactions. His work has appeared in The Legal Intelligencer, JD Supra, and publications of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC).
He serves on the executive boards of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and Scouting America’s New Birth of Freedom Council. In 2025, he was recognized as a Trailblazer in Economic and Workforce Development by City & State Pennsylvania.
He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Defended international dental equipment manufacturer from patent claim brought by patent licensing company pertaining to a method of manufacturing dental restorations resulting in summary judgment of non-infringement
Defended international dental equipment manufacturer in action asserting patent and trade secret claims related to dental curing lights, resulting in settlement of less than 10% of original demand
Asserted patent on behalf of church product manufacturer against national wholesaler resulting in client obtaining a permanent injunction enjoining further sales of the infringing device
Defended international dental equipment manufacturer in case involving multiple counts of patent infringement relating to dental surgery, resulting in favorable settlement
The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1999
William & Mary Law School, J.D., 2002, Order of the Coif
Trailblazer in Economic and Workforce Development, City and State Pennsylvania, 2025
Select Lawyers, 2014, 2016
Pennsylvania Rising Stars®, 2008, 2010, 2011
Executive Board, New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA
Treasurer, 2022; Executive Committee, Capital Region Economic and Development Corporation (CREDC)
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Susquehanna Section
Member, York Springs Lions Club
U.S. District Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. District Court – Western District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
March 27, 2025 - D.C. Circuit Affirms Denial of Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Works
April 22, 2022 - Forum Selection Clause Precludes IPR—Non Conveniens Becomes Impossibilis
February 5, 2015 - Intellectual Property 2014 Year in Review
January 18, 2014 - Quentin Tarantino’s Lawsuit Against Gawker: Enjoy!
March 6, 2019 - Intellectual Property Basics for Business Owners
February 20, 2019 - 2018 in Review – Developments in Trademark, Copyright, and Patent Law
February 15, 2017 - Intellectual Property Basics
October 19, 2016 - Intellectual Property Basics for Business Owners
October 18, 2016 - IP Basics for Business Owners
May 18, 2016 - 17th Annual International Trade Conference
March 30, 2016 - Quick Hits on Hot Topics in International Law
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