Ideas. Owned. ®

Sean O'Brien, Patent Agent at Patterson Thuente IP

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D. – anticipated 2024
  • University of Minnesota Duluth, M.S.M.E., Mechanical Engineering – 2021
  • University of Minnesota Duluth, B.S.M.E., Mechanical Engineering – 2019

Accolades

Sean M. O’Brien

Patent Agent, IP Law Clerk

PARALEGAL:

Sean M. O’Brien

Patent Agent, IP Law Clerk

PARALEGAL:

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D. – anticipated 2024
  • University of Minnesota Duluth, M.S.M.E., Mechanical Engineering – 2021
  • University of Minnesota Duluth, B.S.M.E., Mechanical Engineering – 2019

Accolades

Biography

Sean O’Brien is a registered patent agent who assists attorneys in patent prosecution matters including patentability searches and drafting of patent applications; Office Action responses to relevant government agencies; and client correspondence. He provides support in litigation matters, such as document review and case research. Sean joined Patterson Thuente IP in 2021 as a participant in the firm’s IP law clerk program for students in law school.

Professional Experience
Prior to law school, Sean worked as a mechanical engineer intern at a manufacturer for converting paper and other wet or dry substrates. In this role, Sean created and updated parts and assembly models using CAD software, converting over 1,300 part files to new company standards.

As a graduate student, Sean—using finite element analysis—performed research studying water tree degradation in underground medium voltage cables found in nuclear power plants. Using specific energy absorption rate as a measure of degradation, Sean performed a novel assessment of the cable insulation degradation.

Outside of the office, Sean enjoys reading, 3D printing, exercising and spending time with friends.

Experience

Publications

  • “Evaluation of Specific Energy Absorption Rate in Aged EPR-Insulated Cables Using Finite Element Analysis,” 20th International Conference on Environmental Degradation of
  • Materials in Nuclear Power Systems, forthcoming July 17-21, 2022
  • Patentable Invention or Abstract Idea?, Patterson Thuente IP Law Blog, August 26, 2021
  • Parametric Evaluation of Water Treeing in EPR-Insulated Medium Voltage Cables using Finite Element Analysis, University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, May 2021
  • Energy and Eco-Impact Evaluation of Fused Deposition Modeling and Injection Molding of Polylactic Acid (co-authored by Emmanuel Ugo Enemuoh, Venkata Gireesh Menta,
  • Abdulaziz Abutunis, Labiba Imitiaz Kaya, John Rapinac), MDPI – Sustainability, Vol. 13, No. 4
Professional Associations
  • Student Intellectual Property Law Association, 1L Representative
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Student Member
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member