Attorneys

Member

Mandy Wilson Decker

Louisville, KY

Lexington, KY
502-681-0521

Mandy Wilson Decker is a Patent Attorney and member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group. Her practice focuses on intellectual property protection strategy, including counseling clients on infringement, validity and patentability, transfer of intellectual property, patent drafting, and patent prosecution. Contributing to her practice is a scientific background in chemistry and experience with academic and commercial research in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Biotechnology/Life Sciences

Clinical Research, Clinical Trials & Risk Management

Entrepreneurial Services

Health Care

Health Care – Life Sciences Technology & Commercialization

Intellectual Property & Technology

Manufacturing

Patent Prosecution & Protection

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property in the Bluegrass State

panel member, UK Innovate, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA), April 23, 2025

USPTO’s New Continuation Fees Prompt Strategic Shifts and Raise Pendency Concerns

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, March 21, 2025

Understanding the IP Landscape: Career Paths and Practical Advice for Law Students

guest lecturer, University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, March 19, 2025

Changes Impacting Intellectual Property and Innovation Policies Under the New Trump Administration

Stites & Harbison Client Alert, January 22, 2025

Intellectual Property and Research Disclosures

co-speaker, Bluegrass Biodesign, University of Louisville School of Medicine, November 18, 2024

with Terry L. Wright

Recent Assignments

Developed intellectual property portfolio protection strategies for various research institutions, universities, private companies, and entrepreneurs.

Prepared and prosecuted patent applications in a wide variety of chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, dermatologic, biotechnological, medical, and mechanical arts derived from both academic and commercial research.

Managed international patent portfolios and prosecution involving applications and patents in regions and countries including Australia, African Union (OAPI), Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Eurasia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Negotiate agreements to transfer or license intellectual property rights.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Firm Leadership

Retirement Plan Committee, Member (2024-present)

Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, Chair (2021)

Management Committee (2016-20)

SWIFT (Stites Women Investing in Our Future Together) Committee, Chair (2012-15)

Diversity Committee (2010-15)

Ethics Committee (2006-10)

Memberships

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA)

,

Board of Advisors, Chair (2023-present); Executive Advisory Committee (2021-present)

American Bar Association

,

Health Law Section

American Bar Foundation

,

Fellow

Kentucky Bar Association

,

Intellectual Property Section, Chair (2024-25)

Louisville Bar Association

Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)

American Health Lawyers Association

Community Involvement

Legal Aid Society, Justice for All Campaign Committee (2005-present), Chair (2019); Associates for Justice Campaign Committee, Chair (2007)

Leadership Louisville Center, Member (2014-present)

St. Agnes, Parish Council (2021-24), Chair (2022-23); School Board (2015-18), Chair (2017-18)

Education

J.D.,

2002

magna cum laude

University of Kentucky College of Law

Org / Honor

Order of the Coif

Kentucky Law Journal, Staff Member, 2000-02

B.S., Chemistry,

1997

University of Kentucky

Org / Honor

Honors Program

More Than Stites & Harbison

Ms. Decker joined the firm after working as a scientific research associate at the University of Kentucky in laboratories housed in the Advanced Science Technology and Commercialization Center (ASTeCC). Her scientific research experience also involved working with Niadyne, Inc., a biotechnology company involved in the research and development of dermatology products, including cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical skin care products to address various health care needs.

Ms. Decker served on the Board of Saint Agnes School from 2015-2018 and served as Chair during the 2017-18 school year. She also serves on the Annual Campaign Committee of the Legal Aid Society and is a member of the Leadership Louisville Center. She served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors for Crane House, a Louisville organization dedicated to improving understanding between Asia and the United States. During her time with Crane House she served as a Vice President, and as Chair of various committees including the Nominating Committee and Personnel Committee.

She also served as Chair and as a member of the Legal Aid Society Associates Campaign Committee for more than fifteen years. Ms. Decker has also been involved in a number of other non-profit organizations in the community, including Dress for Success Louisville and Junior League of Louisville. She lives in the Highlands with her husband, Deck, and their children, Molly Kate and Ben.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law (2020-25)

Chambers USA, “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business,” Intellectual Property (2017-24)

Managing Intellectual Property, Top 250 Women in IP (2014, 2016-24)

Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars (2013-24)

Kentucky Super Lawyers® (2025)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-14)

Leadership Louisville (2014)

Business First of Louisville, 20 People to Know in Law (2019)

Business First of Louisville, Partners in Health Care (2012-15)

Business First of Louisville, Partners in Health Care People to Watch (2011)

Business First of Louisville, “Forty under 40” (2008)

Testimonials

. . . provides in-depth expertise in life sciences when advising on patent prosecution and infringement actions . . . increasingly highlighted for her strength as a “prominent patent attorney.”

Chambers Commentary (USA)

Contact Resources

Mandy Wilson Decker's PDF Mandy Wilson Decker's Contact VCF

Mandy Decker's LinkedIn Profile

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Events

Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property in the Bluegrass State

Date: April 23, 2025 -

Time: 3:00 p.m. -

5:45 p.m.

UK Gatton Student Center Ballroom 212A, 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, Kentucky 40508

Presented by UK Innovate, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) About the Event Blueprints for Innovation will feature a range of engaging discussions and presentations, providing valuable insights into the national innovation landscape and the importance of IP. The event will include a...
by Mandy Wilson Decker

April 04, 2025

Client Alerts

USPTO’s New Continuation Fees Prompt Strategic Shifts and Raise Pendency Concerns

With the USPTO’s implementation of new fees for certain continuation patent applications, applicants now face important strategic decisions regarding the timing and management of their filings. New Continuation Application Fees Applications Filed 6 to 9 Years After Earliest Benefit Date (EBD): A fee of $2,700 is applied to any continuation...
by Mandy Wilson Decker

March 21, 2025

Client Alerts

Changes Impacting Intellectual Property and Innovation Policies Under the New Trump Administration

Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has implemented several initiatives that significantly impact intellectual property (IP) and innovation in the United States. Artificial Intelligence Policies Rescinding Prior AI Executive Order On his first day in office, President Trump rescinded Executive Order 14110, issued during the Biden...
by Mandy Wilson Decker

January 22, 2025

Press Releases

Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 47 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2025 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 47 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 34 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 13 attorneys to the Rising Stars list. A number of Stites & Harbison attorneys...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

December 27, 2024

Client Alerts

October 2024 is Intellectual Property Month in Kentucky

The Governor of Kentucky has officially proclaimed that October 2024 is Intellectual Property Month! This was achieved through efforts of the Kentucky Intellectual Property Association (KYIPA), in partnership with KY Innovation, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section, and many other...
by Mandy Wilson Decker

October 23, 2024

Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® Publications

Honorees Include 12 as “Lawyer of the Year,” 98 in Best Lawyers in America® and 31 in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®....
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

August 16, 2024

Press Releases

KBA Elects Mandy Wilson Decker and Donovan Gibbs II to Leadership Roles

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) recently elected two Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to leadership roles in the Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section. Mandy Wilson Decker was elected Chair of the IP Law Section while Donovan D. Gibbs II was elected Vice Chair of the section. Both attorneys will...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

July 16, 2024

Press Releases

Managing IP Honors Mandy Wilson Decker for 10th Time on 2024 “Top 250 Women in IP” List

Decker is Only Attorney Honored from Kentucky LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker to the 2024 edition of Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP.” This is the 10th time Decker has been honored on this list, and she...
by Stites & Harbison, PLLC

July 09, 2024

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