Keisha Hylton-Rodic, Ph.D., J.D.
Patent Strategist-in-Chief in a Chem/Pharma Attorney’s Disguise

About Keisha

Dr. Keisha Hylton-Rodic founded Hylton-Rodic Law to help science-driven companies make informed, confident IP decisions that move innovation forward.

Keisha brings a unique combination of scientific fluency, strategic foresight, and business judgment to every engagement. She helps pharmaceutical, life sciences, and chemical companies protect innovation, navigate risk, and align their IP portfolios with long-term commercial goals.

She understands the complexities global enterprises face when advancing innovation across markets — balancing regulatory timelines, IP strategy, and commercial milestones. Keisha partners closely with in-house IP teams, R&D leaders, and outside counsel to ensure that every U.S. filing, opinion, and strategy fits seamlessly within broader international objectives.

Whether evaluating freedom-to-operate pathways, guiding exclusivity strategies, or supporting due diligence in global transactions, Keisha brings technical rigor and business foresight that give clients clarity — and confidence — in their next move.

“My focus is helping companies make sound decisions about innovation — to see risk clearly, manage it effectively, and use it to strengthen their competitive advantage.”

Her clients — from multinational pharma leaders to midsize European innovators — value her as a strategic partner who combines the rigor of a scientist with the discernment of a business advisor. She is known for her clarity, responsiveness, and ability to translate complex science into practical, business-aligned IP strategy, making U.S. and global patent protection feel accessible, precise, and purposeful for international teams.

Experience & Approach

Keisha’s approach rests on a simple truth: intellectual property is a growth strategy, not a checklist. She blends deep technical understanding with commercial insight, guiding clients through every stage of product development and market entry with foresight and efficiency.

Before founding her firm, she practiced in national IP law firms, advising global pharmaceutical and chemical companies on patent prosecution, due diligence, and portfolio strategy. Her background in organic chemistry (Ph.D.) allows her to communicate seamlessly with R&D teams, in-house counsel, and executives — translating complex data into actionable, business-aligned IP strategy.

Her expertise includes:

• Global patent prosecution and portfolio harmonization

• High-value risk assessments and FTO analyses to guide product development and market entry

• Cross-border IP due diligence for licensing, M&A, and partnerships

• Design-around and innovation pathways that mitigate risk and enable competitive agility

Her work reflects a balance of scientific depth and strategic clarity — ensuring that every IP decision supports both innovation and business growth.

Leadership & Recognition

A respected voice in the intellectual property community, Keisha serves on the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL), helping shape advanced educational programming and thought leadership for the profession.

She is a Trustee Emeritus and Past President of The IP Law Foundation (formerly the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law), where she also served on the Executive Committee. In these roles, she continues to promote mentorship, access, and professional excellence across the IP field.

Keisha is a two-time recipient of the ABA-IPL Award for Outstanding Leadership Contribution, recognizing her service and lasting impact on the development of intellectual property law.

Select Speaking Engagements

Keisha regularly speaks at domestic and international conferences on patent strategy, risk management, and global patent harmonization.

• Divisional Patenting in Europe and the USA: How Can Originators and Generics Navigate the Current Legal Landscape? — Munich, Germany

• Ensuring the Freedom to Operate in the Current IP Landscape: Defusing Landmines & Avoiding Pitfalls

• Mastering the FTO Search: Avoiding Blockades & Evaluating Third-Party Rights

• AUTM IP Portfolio Management: Working with Internal and External Patent Counsel

• Patent Procurement in the Age of Harmonization: Strategies for Building a Solid Global Patent Portfolio

Her presentations are known for their clarity, depth, and practical focus, offering insight that helps legal and technical teams make informed, commercially aligned decisions.

Outside the Office

Keisha enjoys reading, running, traveling with her family, and nurturing her garden — her slice of heaven. She believes that wellness, balance, and curiosity are essential to sustained excellence — values that inspire both her life and her practice.