James De Vellis, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

James is a partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. He is the chair of the Intellectual Property Department in Foley’s Boston office and focuses on strategic patent portfolio development, related counseling, and post-grant practice. James has a particular focus on cleantech, and is a member of the firm’s Electronics and Patent Office Trials Practices. He is also a member of the Automotive, Energy Transition, Hydrogen, and Technology Industry Teams, among others.

James' practice includes thoughtful preparation and worldwide prosecution of patent applications to build effective IP portfolios. He helps innovators secure both offensive and defensive patent protection, enabling them to operate in their intellectual space on their terms.

James is active in the areas of cleantech, electric vehicle technology, batteries and battery system management, autonomous technology, agtech, internet services, voice-based devices, medical devices, and other innovative spaces. James practices to advance clients’ business objectives by developing sustainable patent portfolios and by acting as a check on competitors’ patents that encroach beyond their appropriate boundaries.

James has experience in foreign jurisdictions, particularly Canada and Europe, to complement his U.S. patent portfolio development practice. James also prepares non-infringement and freedom-to-operate opinions for industry leaders, represents clients in appeal proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and guides clients through Canadian and European patent portfolio development matters.

James has previously lived and worked as a U.S. patent lawyer in Europe for an Italian firm, where he focused on worldwide patent procurement and portfolio development. Prior to entering intellectual property law, James was employed as an electrical engineer for a major brushless DC disk drive motor manufacturer.

Pinar Gencer, Senior Associate, Competition Dynamics

Dr. Pinar Gencer is an expert in patent valuation and economic analysis for litigation, with a focus on patent infringement, FRAND disputes, and preliminary injunctions. She supports both patent owners and technology implementers in licensing and damages assessments before U.S. district courts and the International Trade Commission (ITC). Her work spans complex issues such as exclusion orders, standard-essential patents, and the negotiation of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing terms.

Dr. Gencer brings a deep understanding of accounting and financial analysis to intellectual property matters. She applies public financial disclosures and established accounting principles to derive insights into the value of patents and portfolios. Her valuation work covers a broad range of technologies, including cellular, IEEE 802.11, and HEVC standards, with industry experience in telecommunications, semiconductors, computer software, satellite systems, and pharmaceuticals.

Her research on corporate conduct and financial reporting was recognized by Harvard Business School, where she received one of six Rising Scholar Awards in accounting. Dr. Gencer earned her PhD in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas, where she also taught financial accounting prior to entering economic consulting.

An active member of the intellectual property community, Dr. Gencer frequently speaks at international conferences and serves on the Licensing Executives Society’s Valuation and Pricing Committee, as well as American Intellectual Property Law Association’s Patent Litigation and Emerging Technologies Committees. She has been an invited speaker at leading forums including the Licensing Executives Society, IPWatchdog, and the London School of Economics, where she has discussed topics ranging from patent damages and FRAND licensing to the intersection of innovation and accounting.