Erin M. Sommers, Ph.D.

Erin focuses her practice on Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) litigation, post-grant proceedings, and counseling, primarily in the chemical and pharmaceutical areas. Erin also has substantial experience with biologics matters and was shortlisted in 2024 for the Women in Business Law Awards in the Life Sciences category. Her litigation experience ranges from pre-litigation analyses through trial at the district court and on to appeals before the Federal Circuit. Erin also routinely represents both patentees and petitioners in post-grant proceedings before the PTAB. In her prosecution practice, she assists clients with global management of their patent portfolios and has successfully argued on their behalf before the PTAB in ex parte appeals.

Before joining Finnegan, Erin studied organic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed organic synthetic methods for preparing substituted alkenes and allenes. Her background includes research in the areas of catalysis, organo-metallic synthesis, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular physiology.

Erin previously served as a member of the firm’s management committee.