Betsy Flanagan Named 2022 "Midwest Trailblazer" by The American Lawyer

Fish Principal Betsy Flanagan has been named to The American Lawyer's 2022 "Midwest Trailblazers" list. This list honors lawyers in the Midwest region of the U.S. who "have moved the needle in the legal industry and are agents of change, making significant marks on the practice, policy, and technological advancements in their sector."

Flanagan is the managing principal of Fish's Twin Cities office, where she focuses on complex patent litigation with an emphasis on life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical litigation, including Hatch-Waxman litigation. She has worked on numerous Federal Circuit appeals, has practiced before the International Trade Commission, and has experience in inter partes review. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and her B.A. in chemistry from Cornell University.

When The American Lawyer asked how she got into the practice of patent litigation, Betsy replied, "I studied chemistry as an undergraduate, and took a few classes that dealt with the intersection of science and the law. That sparked an interest in patent law that never really died down. After two years working for a pharmaceutical company, I decided to make the move to the legal field, and to use my science background to litigate in the life sciences industry. I've never looked back; I find it rewarding to work at the intersection of pharmaceutical innovation and intellectual property protection. I especially enjoy learning from inventors and experts to work up my cases."

View the 2022 publication of The American Lawyer's Midwest Trailblazers.