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Finnegan
Mareesa A. Frederick
Partner
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vCard
  • 901 New York Avenue, NW
  • Washington, DC 20001-4413
+1 202 408 4383
mareesa.frederick@finnegan.com mareesa.frederick@finnegan.com

Mareesa A. Frederick

Partner

  • +1 202 408 4383 +1 202 408 4383
  • mareesa.frederick@finnegan.com mareesa.frederick@finnegan.com
  • 901 New York Avenue, NW
  • Washington, DC 20001-4413
  • vCard

Mareesa Frederick focuses on complex, high-stakes intellectual property litigation, with a particular emphasis on Section 337 proceedings before the International Trade Commission (ITC). She was named by The Legal 500 U.S. as a Next Generation Lawyer for ITC patent litigation and listed by Savoy Magazine as one of the “Most Influential Lawyers,” recognizing her as one of the top Black attorneys in the country. Mareesa also has extensive experience counseling clients on pre-trial strategy, strategic licensing opportunities, and patent portfolios. She currently serves as co-chair of Finnegan’s African American Affinity Group and as co-lead of the firm’s ITC litigation practice, while having previously served on the firm’s Management Committee and partner-in-charge of Community & Belonging.

Mareesa has litigated numerous cases in a broad range of technologies including cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, manufacturing processes, biotechnology, polymers, semiconductor chips and packaging, kinesiotherapy devices, tunable lasers, mobile telephones, digital cameras, television and computer monitors, inkjet cartridges, printing plates, LED lighting, and automotive parts. She has also litigated cases involving design patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and trade dress claims.

 

Prior to rejoining the firm, Mareesa was a senior investigative attorney at the ITC and served as lead government counsel in a number of Section 337 cases before the ITC involving patents for mechanical, electrical, and consumer products. In addition, she has extensive technical experience in polymer processing through her previous employment with Mobil Chemical, Films Division where she worked as a R&D engineer and a process engineer.

 

Mareesa devotes a significant amount of time to pro bono matters. The Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll recently recognized her for those contributions. She has represented clients through the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless and has participated in Finnegan’s criminal pro bono program, representing clients before the D.C. Superior Court. She now focuses her pro bono efforts on advocating for children with special education needs and has also led the effort at Finnegan to establish a formal special education program.

 

In addition to her patent practice at Finnegan, Mareesa has served as an adjunct professor at Howard University for six years, teaching patent law to engineering students. She also served as an adjunct professor at Howard University Law School for two years, where she taught patent law and patent policy courses. Mareesa was recognized by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) for her practice in the DC region as well as by the National Law Journal (NLJ) as a “Rising Star.”

 

Et Cetera

  • Co-chair, Finnegan’s African American Affinity Group, 2021–present.

  • Federal Circuit Bar Association Global Fellow, 2015-2017.

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow, 2014.

  • Served as secretary and governance chair for Elsie Whitlow Stokes Charter School, 2009-2015.

  • Served as managing editor for the Environmental Lawyer, 2001-2002.

  • Served as an intern for the Honorable Reginald Gibson, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2000.

Experience

Eli Lilly and Company v. Actavis Labs. UT Inc.

Represented Eli Lilly in patent litigation relating to Cialis®.

1:16-cv-01119, E.D. Va., Judges Nachmanoff, Trenga

Actelion Pharmaceuticals v. ICOS Corp.

Represented ICOS in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceeding involving pharmaceutical formulation.

IPR2015-00561, -00562, PTAB, Judges Mitchell, Snedden, Yang

Eli Lilly and Company v. Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Represented Eli Lilly in an appeal from a PTAB decision in an IPR case.

IPR2014-00693, -00752, PTAB, Judges Green, Prats, Snedden
16-1547, Fed. Cir., Judges Bryson, Moore, Newman

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. v. POSCO

Defended POSCO in a patent infringement action involving grain oriented steel.

2:12-cv-02429, D.N.J., Judges Cavanaugh, Chesler, Falk, Waldor
15-0112, Fed. Cir., Judges Dyk, Hughes, Newman

In Re Certain Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts and Articles Containing Same

Secured a decisive victory for client US Synthetic Corp. (USS) at the ITC. After a full hearing, the ALJ found that respondents infringed multiple claims of USS’s patent and that the claims were valid and supported by a domestic industry, but an initial Commission ruling under § 101 temporarily prevented a finding of violation of Section 337. The Federal Circuit reversed the § 101 ruling, and on remand the ITC found a violation and issued a limited exclusion order barring infringing polycrystalline diamond products from entry into the United States, securing final relief for USS.

337-TA-1236, ITC, Judge Elliot

Certain Drug Products Containing C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Variants, and Components Thereof

Representing respondent Wacker Biotech GmbH in a rare section 337 ITC investigation involving drug products containing C-type natriuretic peptide variants.

337-TA-1447, ITC, Judge Cheney

More

Insights

Conference

International Trade Commission Litigation & Enforcement International Trade Commission Litigation & Enforcement

May 4-5, 2026

Washington, DC

Conference

2026 American Bar Association-Intellectual Property Law Section Annual Meeting 2026 American Bar Association-Intellectual Property Law Section Annual Meeting

April 15-16, 2026

Washington, DC

Articles

Why Fashion Brands are Doubling Down on US Utility Patents

Why Fashion Brands are Doubling Down on US Utility Patents Why Fashion Brands are Doubling Down on US Utility Patents

March 10, 2026

World Trademark Review

Articles

Your Best Bet for Enforcement: Schedule A Cases or Section 337 Investigations?

Your Best Bet for Enforcement: Schedule A Cases or Section 337 Investigations? Your Best Bet for Enforcement: Schedule A Cases or Section 337 Investigations?

November 27, 2025

World Trademark Review

Event

Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and the U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Shanghai

Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and the U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Shanghai Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and the U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Shanghai

November 7, 2025

Shanghai

Seminar

Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Beijing

Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Beijing Patent Litigation Developments and Strategies in Europe and U.S.: ITC and UPC Practices - Beijing

November 4, 2025

Beijing

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Professional Recognition

"Frederick has a sterling track record at the ITC, where she previously worked as a senior investigative attorney."

Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000

“Mareesa Frederick is 'deeply familiar with the ITC practice and greatly contributes to the resolution of complicated problems, which occasionally arise during ITC proceedings.’”

Legal 500 United States

“Frederick, who also benefits from inside knowledge, recently won a rare complete victory on summary determination for REC Solar Holdings as respondent in a high-profile investigation involving solar cells.”

Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000

"Frederick has a sterling track record at the ITC, where she previously worked as a senior investigative attorney."

Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000

“Mareesa Frederick is 'deeply familiar with the ITC practice and greatly contributes to the resolution of complicated problems, which occasionally arise during ITC proceedings.’”

Legal 500 United States

“Frederick, who also benefits from inside knowledge, recently won a rare complete victory on summary determination for REC Solar Holdings as respondent in a high-profile investigation involving solar cells.”

Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000

News

Award/Ranking

Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in 2026 IAM Patent 1000 Guide; Nearly 60 Attorneys Ranked Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in 2026 IAM Patent 1000 Guide; Nearly 60 Attorneys Ranked

May 28, 2026

Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)

Award/Ranking

61 Finnegan Attorneys Recognized on the 2025 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll 61 Finnegan Attorneys Recognized on the 2025 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

May 7, 2026

Commentary

How Litigation Funding Disclosure Could Affect ITC Cases How Litigation Funding Disclosure Could Affect ITC Cases

May 7 , 2026

Law360

Commentary

Patent Cases Down 64% YOY at PTAB, up 70% at ITC in Q1 2026 Patent Cases Down 64% YOY at PTAB, up 70% at ITC in Q1 2026

April 15, 2026

Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)

Commentary

ITC Commissioner Nominations Could Create a Republican Majority ITC Commissioner Nominations Could Create a Republican Majority

February 13, 2026

Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)

Press Release

U.S. International Trade Commission Issues Limited Exclusion Order for US Synthetic in Investigation Against Foreign Diamond Makers U.S. International Trade Commission Issues Limited Exclusion Order for US Synthetic in Investigation Against Foreign Diamond Makers

December 23, 2025

More

Professional Activities

  • National Bar Association
    (member of Executive Board, 2017; secretary, 2015-2016; treasurer, 2014; webinar coordinator and editor IP Newsletter, Intellectual Property Committee, 2013)
  • International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association
    (member of Executive Committee, 2017-present; editor, Section 337 Reporter, Summer Associate edition, 2013-2016)
  • Women’s Bar Association (WBA)
    (Women of Color Task Force, 2019-present; co-chair, IP Committee, 2016-2018; co-chair, Working Parents Committee, 2013-2018)
  • Intellectual Property Owners Association
    (chair, Diversity Outreach Committee, 2024-2025; co-chair, Diversity Outreach Committee, 2021-2023; Women in IP Law, 2018-2019)
  • American Bar Association
    (editorial board member, Landslide, 2024-2026; vice chair, International Trade Commission Committee, 2024-2025; Business Law fellow, Business Law Section, 2018-2020; Business Law Fellow, Business Law Section, 2018-2020)
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
    (Editorial Board, AIPLA Quarterly Journal, 2018-2021)
  • Alfred Street Baptist Church
    (council member, Legal & Governance Committee, 2018-present)
  • Only Make Believe
    (board member, 2022-present)
Admissions and Education

Admissions

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Education

George Washington University Law School
J.D., with honors, 2002
Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1997
Spelman College
B.S., Chemistry, magna cum laude, 1997

Mareesa's Practices

AI + Finnegan
AI + Patent
AI + Trade Secrets
Diligence, Licensing, and Opinions
Freedom to Operate Opinions
Global IP Enforcement, Litigation, and Trials
Branded Hatch-Waxman (ANDA) Litigation and Trials
Design Rights
ITC Section 337 Investigations and Trials
Patent Litigation and Trials
Pretrial Strategies
Trade Secrets
Trademark Litigation and Trials
Patent Office Invalidation Proceedings
PTAB Invalidation Proceedings: IPR and PGR
Prosecution and Portfolio Management
Design Rights
Due Diligence
Opinions and Counseling
Patent Drafting and Prosecution
Trademark and Brand Management
Design Rights
Trademark Litigation and Trials

Mareesa's Industries

AI, Electronics, and Information Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Electrical and Computer Technology
Chemicals, Industrials, and Materials
Chemical
Manufacturing
Textiles
Consumer Goods and Services
Consumer Products
Food and Beverage
Energy
Oil and Gas
Life Sciences
Biotechnology
Digital Health
Medical Device and Diagnostics
Pharmaceutical
Transportation and Logistics
Automotive and Smart Mobility Tech

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