Iona Kaiser

Career Highlights

Iona came to the Firm from Baker Botts LLP where she had been an associate in the intellectual property department. Iona’s practice includes patent prosecution and litigation in which she advises clients on the acquisition and enforcement of patents, helps clients capitalize on the potential applications for patents, and helps them protect their patents from competitors. She also practices in technical litigation in both federal and state court.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Iona worked for some five years in the commodity chemical industry as a chemical engineer focusing on distributed process control support and development. During part of that time, she also attended the University of Houston Law School night program.

Legal matters

• Representing a major oil field services provider in patent prosecution, primarily dealing with oil field stimulation and sand control.
• Representing an accused patent infringer over rights to mechanical coin selecting technology.
• Representing a major international medical device manufacturer in evaluating infringement and validity issues in preparation to enter United States markets.
• Representing an industrial equipment manufacturer at trial in state court with a defense emphasis on technical design and operation.
• Representing a major oil company in patent prosecution, primarily dealing with long-distance pipeline transport and specialty chemical products.

Activities and affiliations

• Member, State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association
• Houston Intellectual Property Law Association
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Educational and professional background

• Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem LLP, Houston, Associate (2005-present)
• Baker Botts LLP, Houston, Associate (2001-2005)
• Baker Botts LLP, Houston, Legal Clerk (2000-2001)
• J.D. (magna cum laude), University of Houston Law Center, 2001
• Hoechst Celanese, Houston, Engineer (1996-2000)
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1996

Publications

• "Nanotechnology Patents: Will Small-Scale Science Pose Big Challenges for Applicants and the Patent Office?" Patent Strategy and Management, July 2004
• "Dietary Supplements: Can the Law Control the Hype?" 37 Houston Law Review 1249, 2000