About Elizabeth
Elizabeth M. Barnhard is an Of Counsel attorney at Leason Ellis LLP, located in White Plains, New York. She chairs the firm's Pharma/Biotech Practice Group, where her experience in both law firms and the pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role. Ms. Barnhard assists clients in developing comprehensive intellectual property portfolios—an essential aspect of handling the requirements of modern business. Her practice encompasses all phases of litigation and appeals involving patents, trademarks, and copyrights. She also handles unfair competition actions in both federal and state courts, along with Section 337 proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission. Ms.
Barnhard earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York Law School in 1981. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from New York University in 1975. Following her educational achievements, she was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1982 and became a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Her court admissions include the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. These qualifications underscore her expertise and commitment to the field of intellectual property law. Before joining Leason Ellis in 2011, Ms.
Barnhard served as Senior Patent Counsel at Pfizer/Wyeth from 1995 to 2010. This role allowed her to gain invaluable insights into the pharmaceutical sector, enhancing her ability to serve clients effectively. Her legal career began as an associate at Itkowitz & Harwood from 1983 to 1986, followed by positions at Abelman Frayne & Schwab (1986–1989) and Bryan Cave (1989–1995). Each of these roles contributed to her well-rounded understanding of intellectual property law and its applications across various industries. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Barnhard is actively involved in professional organizations. She has been a board member and co-chair of the Intellectual Property and Awards Committees of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association (WWBA) since 2013. In June 2023, she was sworn in as an Elected Director for the 2023–2024 term at the WWBA's Annual Dinner. Her leadership within this organization highlights her commitment to advancing the interests of women in the legal profession.
Recognition has followed Ms. Barnhard throughout her career. She has been included in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists for 2024 and 2025, evidence of her influence in the field of intellectual property management. Furthermore, she has been selected to Super Lawyers New York Metro in the Intellectual Property category from 2021 to 2025. At Leason Ellis, Ms. Barnhard continues to provide strategic guidance to clients across various industries, helping them protect and commercialize their intellectual property assets effectively.
