Elen Wetzel

Elen’s practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution, opinions, and counseling of clients across a variety of industries including energy, manufacturing, transportation, electronics, and e-commerce. She works with both large and emerging companies across a wide range of technologies including mechanical, electrical, and software systems, as well as medical devices and consumer products. Elen helps clients build strong global patent portfolios by outlining filing strategies that take into consideration the various types of protection available, domestically and internationally.

As part of her practice, Elen regularly conducts invention disclosure meetings and prepares patent applications and formal correspondence with the patent office for a large manufacturer of medical imaging systems, as well as a variety of clients developing consumer product devices, including sporting goods, eyewear, portable and/or wearable electronic devices, hearing enhancement devices, packaging/shipping technologies, building/construction technologies, and other mechanical, electromechanical, and software systems. She regularly engages in strategic discussions with clients to develop and enhance the client’s portfolio, advising clients regarding the variety of available forms of protection, including design patents. Elen also frequently counsels clients regarding evolving patent-eligibility and Section 112 issues particularly relevant to software-implemented inventions. In addition, she helps clients mitigate risk by conducting clearance for new/contemplated products and advising clients regarding invalidity and non-infringement, including the preparation of opinions.

Prior to rejoining Dorsey’s Intellectual Property Group, Elen served in an in-house role at a larger aerospace manufacturer, developing and managing intellectual property assets in the areas of structures, vehicle controls, propulsion systems, and unmanned aircraft. Prior to beginning her legal career, she worked as an engineer in the aerospace industry, bringing to her practice nearly a decade of engineering experience in the design and analysis of structural systems and the integration and testing of simulation software.  With her prior in-house experience in the aerospace industry and an aeronautical engineering degree, Elen frequently provides assistance to the National Security group with classification projects as needed.