Meet the Team

Discover how our deep technical and legal expertise helps our clients meet business objectives and better understand the risks and opportunities.

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  • Managing Partner

    Paul D. Strain (paul.strain@strainpllc.com) is the managing partner of Strain PLLC whose practice focuses on international intellectual property issues. Mr. Strain is a chemical engineer (B.Ch.E., Georgia Institute of Technology), patent attorney (J.D., George Washington University Law School), and inventor who began his career in research and development.

    Mr. Strain began his career in patent law as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over a dozen years ago and began representing international corporate clients in intellectual property matters over a decade ago at a major international law firm.

    Mr. Strain has extensive experience in strategic patent portfolio management, patent portfolio evaluation, and patent prosecution, as well as in licensing, due diligence, and related opinion work. Mr. Strain has also represented clients in patent disputes before various U.S. district courts, before the U.S. International Trade Commission, and in post-grant patent validity challenges at the USPTO. As the recipient of a scholarship jointly sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, Mr. Strain has studied and worked in research and development in Germany.

    Mr. Strain is proficient in German and regularly advises global corporations and investors in complex intellectual property matters.

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  • Counsel

    Stephen G. Nagy (stephen.nagy@strainpllc.com) focuses his practice on partnering with early-stage start-ups to develop critical IP assets, technology and strategic policy, and relationships with research institutions and technical organizations to maximize company value.

    Mr. Nagy’s has significant experience prosecuting his clients’ core intellectual property before patent offices around the world and has a proven track record of helping clients protect their most valuable innovations. His practice also encompasses preparation and negotiation of licensing, commercial, research, and employment agreements typically required by small innovative companies. Mr. Nagy also has experience litigating patent disputes before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit, federal district courts, the International Trade Commission, and the USPTO. He also previously worked as a legal extern at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the Chambers of The Hon. Kathleen M. O'Malley

    Mr. Nagy’s technical background encompasses a variety of materials science, nanoscience, and chemistry-related technologies, including synthesis of silver nanoparticle circuitry, synthesis of thin-layer piezo polymers, and characterization of electrical properties of thin-layer ceramics. Prior to law school, Mr. Nagy assisted with research at the Nano-Bio Interface Center (NBIC) in Philadelphia, PA and at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) in Inchon, South Korea. Mr. Nagy received his bachelor's degree in Nanoscale Materials Science Engineering (magna cum laude) from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor (with high honors) from The George Washington University Law School.

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  • Counsel

    Heidi E. Strain (heidi.strain@strainpllc.com) is a patent litigator with a dozen years of patent litigation experience, as well as a decade of experience litigating patent disputes before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

    Ms. Strain was educated at Harvard University (A.B. magna cum laude) and received her law degree from Harvard Law School. She practiced at a major international law firm until 2007, when she became an Investigative Attorney at the ITC, with first-chair responsibility for litigating intellectual property disputes before the ITC on behalf of the U.S. government. Ms. Strain first-chaired patent trials at the ITC, handling every aspect of these cases from pre-institution to completion, before departing from the ITC at the end of 2010. Ms. Strain's extensive and recent experience at the ITC gives her great familiarity and insight into the procedural and legal nuances of patent litigation before the ITC.

    Ms. Strain's current practice focuses on patent dispute resolution, negotiations, and opinions on intellectual property matters. Ms. Strain's practice includes providing investors and other interested parties with analysis and insight into ongoing complex patent litigation proceedings, including proceedings before the ITC.

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  • Pepper is a pawtner of Strain PLLC and has over 4 years of experience being a good girl. She has joined Strain PLLC to head our Pro Bone-o Team.

    Her practice has an extensive track record of positive droolings. Her expertise encompasses a broad array of sectors, including snoozing, treats, walks, and splashing in puddles.

    In Pepper’s spare time, you can find her down at the creek where she maintains an active social life and rigorous exercise regimen.