T. Benjamin “Ben” Schroeder is a partner at Gearhart Law and a registered patent attorney focused on intellectual property law, with particular experience in patent prosecution and complex scientific and technical innovations. His practice combines legal strategy with a deep understanding of the scientific research and development process, spanning areas including small molecule chemistry, biologics and biochemistry, molecular biology, semiconductors, and medical devices.

Ben’s interest in the legal profession was influenced early on by his father, who was also an attorney. Over time, he developed a strong appreciation for the intersection of law and science, which ultimately led him to patent law. Before entering private practice, he served as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, an experience that gives him a distinctive inside perspective on how patents are evaluated and granted. And previously practiced at Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton, a nationally recognized intellectual property firm, before joining Gearhart Law. He enjoys working with inventors, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies to help protect the technologies and innovations they have worked hard to develop, including through freedom-to-operate opinions and proceedings such as Inter Partes Review (IPR) and Post Grant Review.

Ben holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before entering the legal profession, he spent years working in laboratory environments, including as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester. He earned his law degree from George Mason University School of Law. That hands-on research background continues to shape the way he works with clients today. Having firsthand knowledge of the challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs involved in research and development, he understands that innovation is rarely a straightforward path and that strong intellectual property protection plays an important role in supporting long-term success.

Earlier in his life, Ben served in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Central African Republic, an experience that speaks to both his sense of purpose and his willingness to engage with the world beyond the familiar. Clients often note his ability to simplify highly technical or complex concepts into clear, understandable guidance. He values collaboration and enjoys continuously learning from the entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators he works with across a wide range of industries. His work has been recognized with Legal Elite honors by Business North Carolina Magazine (2011 and 2012) and as a Super Lawyer (2019).

Outside of his practice, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and Scottish Terrier. He serves on the board of the Piedmont Opera and the School for Exceptional Children, reflecting a commitment to both the arts and his broader community. His interests include opera, musical theater, science, professional road bicycle racing, and weekly trivia competitions with longtime friends. He considers himself a lifelong learner with broad interests across both the arts and sciences, an outlook that continues to influence both his personal and professional life.

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
  • Over 20 years of diverse patent experience, working as an examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office and as an agent and attorney in law firms
  • Patent Application examining, searching, preparation and prosecution: small molecule chemistry, biologics, biochemistry, polymers, molecular biology, semiconductors, medical devices, and mechanical applications
  • Opinions and client counseling: freedom-to-operate, patentability, infringement, legal/patent strategies for maintaining IP portfolios
  • Patent litigation: legal research, motions, supporting briefs, argued many times in front of Board of Appeals and Interferences including Post Grant Reviews and Inter Partes Review at the USPTO
  • Due Diligence studies
  • Supervision and training of subordinates and teaching clients
EDUCATION
  • George Mason University School of Law
    Arlington, VA
    Juris Doctor 2001
    Intellectual Property Tract
    Received Awards for Highest Grades in Copyright and International Patent Law
  • University of Rochester
    Post-Doctoral Fellowship Position Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1997-1998
    Advisor: Steven Pascal
  • University of Arizona
    Rochester, NY
    Tucson, AZ
    Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry in the Chemistry Department, 1997
    Dissertation Title: Indirect Detection of 77Se, 119Sn and 125Te by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
    Advisor: Richard S. Glass
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Bachelor of Science Biochemistry 1986 Bachelor of Science Molecular Biology 1986
WORK EXPERIENCE
  • Patent Attorney 2013 to present Ben Schroeder Law, PLLC
  • Patent Attorney 2011 to 2013 Leak & Schroeder, PLLC
  • Patent Attorney 2005 to 2011 Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton, LLP (previously Kilpatrick Stockton)
  • Patent Attorney 2002 to 2004 Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB)
  • Patent Agent/Technical Advisor 2001 to 2002 BSKB
  • Patent Examiner 1999 to 2000 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Art Units 1611/1624
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship 1997 to 1998 Advisor: Steven Pascal University of Rochester
  • Graduate Research Fellow 1990 to 1997 Advisor: Richard Glass University of Arizona
  • Graduate Research Fellowship in NMR Advisor: Neil Jacobsen
  • 1994 to 1996 University of Arizona
  • Graduate Teaching Fellow 1990 to 1994 Supervisor: Steven Brown University of Arizona
  • U.S. Peace Corps
    Gamboula, Central African Republic Volunteer Extension Agent

    • Worked with farmers in aquaculture with Tilapia nilotica.
    • Worked with farmers in apiculture.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

1987 to 1989

  • Block E., Birringer, M., DeOrazio, R., Fabian, J, Glass, R.S., Guo, C., He, C., Lorance, E., Qian, Q., Schroeder, T.B., Shan, Z., Thiruvazhi, M., Wilson, G.S., and Zhang, X.; Synthesis, Properties, Oxidation, and Electrochemistry of 1,2-Dichalcogenins. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 122, 5052, (2000).
  • Knothe, G., Glass, R. S., Schroeder, T. B., Bagby, M. O; Reaction of Isolated Double Bonds with Selenium Dioxide/ Hydrogen Peroxide. Formation and Characterization of Novel Selenite Esters. Synthesis, 57, (1997).
  • Glass, R. S.; Pollard, J. R.; Schroeder, T.B.; Lichtenberger, D. L.; Block, E.; DeOrazio, R.; Guo, C.; Spectroscopic, Theoretical and Electrochemical Studies of 1,2-Dithiins. Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon, 120/121, 439, (1997).
  • Block, E.; Glass, R. S.; DeOrazio, R.; Lichtenberger, D. L.; Pollard, J. R.; Russell, E. E.; Schroeder, T.B.; Thiruvazhi M.; Toscano, P. J.; Significant Intramolecular Sulfur-Sulfur Interactions in cis- and trans-2,3-Dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo(2.1.1)hexane. Synlett, 525, (1997).
  • Kaminski, R., Glass, R.S., Schroeder, T.B., Michalski, J., and Skowroska, A.; Monoselenophosphate; Its Hydrolysis and Ability to Phosphorylate Alcohols and Amines. Bioorganic Chemistry, 25, 247, (1997).
  • Schroeder, T.B., Job, C., Brown, M.F., Glass, R.S., You, N., Block, E.; 21H-{125}Te Indirect Detection in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of Organotellurium Compounds. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 35, 752, (1997).
  • Farooqui, F., Sabahi, M., Schroeder, T.B., and Glass, R.S., Synthesis and NMR Spectroscopic Analysis of a Conformationally Constrained Selenolactone. Scientia Iranica, 4, 121, (1997).
  • Schroeder, T.B., Job, C., Brown, M.F., Glass, R.S.; Glass Indirect Detection of Selenium-77 in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of Organoselenium Compounds. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 33, 191, (1995).
LEGAL PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
  • Cahoon, S.A., Wooten, A.L., Bailey, R.A., Schroeder, T.B., Grab, L.T., Protecting the Validity of Your Pharmaceutical Patents After KSR, 01 May 2009 BIO International Convention.
  • Kristin Mallatt Crall, Brenda O. Holmes, Charles W. Calkins, Larry Roberts, Christopher M. Durkee, T. Benjamin Schroeder; Federal Circuit issues important patent term adjustment ruling; Association of Corporate Council website, published January 11, 2010.
  • Leak, Frank L, and Benjamin Schroeder, Myriad Genetics: It’s Now Up to the Supremes, Intellectual Property Law Section website for the North Carolina Bar, published March 8, 2012.
  • Taught and lectured clients during BSKB’s summer training program and Advanced Training Program on claim construction, chemical patent practice, biotechnology patent practice, documenting dates of invention, double patenting, and utility.
  • Presented lectures to members of Firm (BSKB and Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton) on many aspects of patent law.
BOARD/ PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS/AWARDS
  • Member of Piedmont Opera Board of Directors since 2007
  • Head of Legal and Personnel committee for Piedmont Opera since 2009
  • Member of IPO since 2008 and member of Pharmaceutical committee since 2008 Member of AIPLA since 2001
  • Member of Board of the School for Exceptional Children since 2011
  • Named Legal Elite by Business North Carolina Magazine 2011 and 2012
  • Named Super Lawyer 2019
LANGUAGES

Fluent in French and Sango and proficient in various computer languages. Working knowledge of other languages such as Spanish, Italian and German.

BAR MEMBERSHIPS
  • North Carolina (2007), Virginia (2002), and United States Patent and Trademark Office (2001)
COURT ADMISSIONS
  • Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • Middle District of North Carolina
  • USPTO