Louis W. Beardell Jr. focuses his practice on intellectual property (IP) matters in connection with patent strategies, IP due diligence, litigation, and transactions. He assists clients in developing and implementing programs that protect products and inventions including trade secrets, particularly in the life sciences, technology, and financial services fields. For US and international clients, Louis negotiates and prepares the IP aspects of licensing and purchase agreements, as well as agreements relating to product and service supply, collaboration, research, consulting, patent litigation settlement, and material transfer.
Louis counsels on all matters related to patent strategies, patent validity, patent due diligence, and freedom-to-operate opinions. His clients include an array of US and international companies in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, biotechnology, agricultural science, medical devices, and food science as well as major venture capital funds.
As companies evolve and modernize the way they operate, Louis ensures that they are able to establish exclusive positions to protect how they do business through procuring business method patents, as well as evaluating patent validity and freedom-to-operate positions for computer and business method inventions. His ability to prosecute patents and handle important trade secrets allows him to counsel clients through the creation of a diverse assortment of IP programs.
Louis frequently lectures to academic institutions and professional organizations on a variety of IP topics. He has been hosted by US and international IP and business associations, as well as top law schools and business school IP and entrepreneur classes.
Ranked, Intellectual Property, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2020–2024)
Recognized, IP Transactions Star – Pennsylvania, Managing Intellectual Property (2020–2024)
Recognized, IP Patent Star – Pennsylvania, Managing Intellectual Property (2013, 2015–2019)
Recognized, Elite Patent Practitioner, IAM Global Leaders (2025)
Recognized, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals (2017–2024)
Life Sciences Star, Patent Strategy & Management, LMG Life Sciences Awards Americas (2023, 2024)
Life Sciences Star, Intellectual Property, LMG Life Sciences (2020–2022)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Patent Law, Philadelphia (2016–2025)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Patents: licensing, The Legal 500 US (2019–2024)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings), The Legal 500 US (2019–2024)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 US (2021, 2023, 2024)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Patents: litigation (full coverage), The Legal 500 US (2019, 2020)
Recommended, The Legal 500 US (2016)
Recognized, Who’s Who Legal (2016)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2019)
Member, Litigation Department of the Year–Intellectual Property, The American Lawyer (2019)
Member, Industry Advisory Board, National Brain Tumor Society (2013–present)
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, Licensing Executives Society
Member, Benjamin Franklin American Inn of Court, Philadelphia Intellectual Property Chapter
Member, Intellectual Property Owners Association