Bio
Lester N. Fortney is an Intellectual Property attorney with a diversified background in chemistry, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. Les deals primarily with the preparation and prosecution of chemical and mechanical patent applications, both in the United States and internationally. He provides not only academic expertise but also practical experience gained from real world employment.
Les received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Messiah College and an M.A. degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. Following graduate school, Les worked as a research chemist in Texas, primarily in the fields of surfactant chemistry and tertiary oil recovery.
Prior to attending law school at the University of Notre Dame, Les served as an officer in the United States Navy. He initially specialized in the field of Combat Systems but then was selected to attend the U.S. Navy’s Engineering School, where he graduated first in his class. Following graduation, Les served in the Engineering Department of U.S.S. Fife (DD991), where he gained practical experience with mechanical, hydraulic, and propulsion systems.
Upon graduation from law school in 1993, Les joined The Webb Law Firm and has been here ever since; not for lack of other opportunities but from a sincere belief that The Webb Law Firm is truly one of the finest intellectual property law firms in the country.
Les is a past president of the Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Law Association and has given presentations on drafting patent applications to meet the challenges of prosecution not only in the United States, but in international patent jurisdictions–particularly Europe, China, the Far East and South America. In addition, Les is experienced in preparing “freedom to operate” searches and opinions for proposed new products.
Certification
Registered Patent Attorney, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
Notre Dame Law School, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1993 J.D.
Phi Alpha Delta, Legal Fraternity
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 1981 M.A.
Major: Physical Chemistry
Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania, 1978 B.A.
Major: Chemistry
With Honors
Professional Associations and Memberships
Allegheny County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Law Association, President 2014-2015
American Chemical Society
Past Employment Positions
United States Navy,1985-1990
University of Texas, Chemist, 1981-1985