Ashley N. Mays-Williams

Ashley N. Mays-Williams is a patent litigation partner at Paul Hastings LLP, based in the firm's New York office. Her practice is primarily focused on intellectual property law, with a strong emphasis on patent litigation matters within the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors. Dr. Mays-Williams has extensive experience litigating cases under the Hatch-Waxman Act, typically representing innovator life science companies. Her work involves pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, and antibody technology. She also has experience with patent litigation concerning medical devices, bone pastes and cements, and batteries.

Throughout her career, Dr. Mays-Williams has primarily represented defendants in patent disputes, with all two of her tracked appearances being on the defendant side as lead counsel. This aligns with her stated focus on defending innovator companies. A notable success includes her role as lead counsel for defendant Xencor, Inc. in Merus N.V. v. Xencor, Inc., where the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware granted Xencor's motion to dismiss, finding that the accused antibody technology use was protected by the Hatch-Waxman safe harbor. Her representative experience also includes defending major pharmaceutical clients such as Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Inc., Teijin Pharma Limited, Eli Lilly & Co., and Amgen Inc. in complex intellectual property disputes.

While her individual profile does not explicitly detail regular appearances in IPR/PGR proceedings, Paul Hastings' broader Intellectual Property practice is recognized for handling post-grant proceedings, and Dr. Mays-Williams is recognized by IAM Patent 1000 for patent litigation. Her client, Xencor, Inc., has engaged in Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings against Merus N.V., related to the subject matter of their district court litigation, indicating her involvement in clients' comprehensive patent strategies. Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Dr. Mays-Williams gained experience as a patent prosecutor at a boutique firm.

Dr. Mays-Williams is admitted to practice in New York and before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. She holds a J.D., cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law (2012), a Ph.D. in Medical and Molecular Genetics from King's College London (2010), and a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin (2003).