Wasim K. Bleibel

Counsel

312.443.0638

More ways to contact Wasim K. Bleibel

Additional Languages: Spanish (conversational)

Wasim's extensive experience in representing biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and software companies, particularly in complex pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent litigation, along with his background as a senior research scientist, uniquely position him as a trusted advocate for clients.

Firm News

179 Locke Lord Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in ‎America® ‎‎2025 List‎, 45 Recognized as Ones to Watch
Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

Wasim represents biotechnology, pharmaceutical, beverage, cosmetic, medical device, and software companies in intellectual property litigation, strategy, and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience in patent litigation, often representing both patent owners and accused infringers in complex patent litigation, and contested matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Wasim’s clients range from major corporations to mid-size companies, startups, and publicly traded, as well as privately held businesses.

Notably, Wasim assists clients in ensuring compliance with marketing and advertising regulations, including those from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Federal Trade Commission Act. He also provides guidance on social media policies, influencer agreements, endorsements, brand protection, and strategy. Additionally, Wasim represents entities in the seed and agricultural biotechnology sectors and seedsmen’s errors and omissions insurers, handling regulatory, intellectual property, liability, and transactional matters.

  • Environmental Research Center, Inc. v. Antler Farms NZ Ltd., (Cal. Super. Ct.) Representing the defendant in Proposition 65 litigation.
  • The Regents of the University of California v. The Broad Institute Inc., Interference No. 106, 115 (PTAB) – Representing the senior party in a second patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • The Broad Institute, Inc. v. ToolGen, Inc., Interference No. 106,126, (PTAB) – Representing the junior party in a patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • The Broad Institute, Inc. v. Sigma-Aldrich Co., LLC, Interference No. 106,133 (PTAB) – Representing junior party in a patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • In re ʼ858 Patent Litigation, (Fed. Cir.), aff’g (S.D. Ind.) – Represented a renewable energy company in a patent litigation concerning the production of ethanol.
  • Feit Electric Company, Inc. v. Beacon Point Capital, LLC (N.D. Ill.) – Represented a light bulb manufacturer in a declaratory judgment action involving claims directed to electrical devices.
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Intellectual Property (2025-2026)
  • Super Lawyers® Illinois Rising Star, Intellectual Property Litigation (2014-2021)
  • Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, 5 Under 40 Award (2019)
Overview

Wasim represents biotechnology, pharmaceutical, beverage, cosmetic, medical device, and software companies in intellectual property litigation, strategy, and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience in patent litigation, often representing both patent owners and accused infringers in complex patent litigation, and contested matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Wasim’s clients range from major corporations to mid-size companies, startups, and publicly traded, as well as privately held businesses.

Notably, Wasim assists clients in ensuring compliance with marketing and advertising regulations, including those from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Federal Trade Commission Act. He also provides guidance on social media policies, influencer agreements, endorsements, brand protection, and strategy. Additionally, Wasim represents entities in the seed and agricultural biotechnology sectors and seedsmen’s errors and omissions insurers, handling regulatory, intellectual property, liability, and transactional matters.

Representation Matters
  • Environmental Research Center, Inc. v. Antler Farms NZ Ltd., (Cal. Super. Ct.) Representing the defendant in Proposition 65 litigation.
  • The Regents of the University of California v. The Broad Institute Inc., Interference No. 106, 115 (PTAB) – Representing the senior party in a second patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • The Broad Institute, Inc. v. ToolGen, Inc., Interference No. 106,126, (PTAB) – Representing the junior party in a patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • The Broad Institute, Inc. v. Sigma-Aldrich Co., LLC, Interference No. 106,133 (PTAB) – Representing junior party in a patent interference proceeding involving claims to CRISPR-Cas9 systems.
  • In re ʼ858 Patent Litigation, (Fed. Cir.), aff’g (S.D. Ind.) – Represented a renewable energy company in a patent litigation concerning the production of ethanol.
  • Feit Electric Company, Inc. v. Beacon Point Capital, LLC (N.D. Ill.) – Represented a light bulb manufacturer in a declaratory judgment action involving claims directed to electrical devices.
Insights

Firm News

179 Locke Lord Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in ‎America® ‎‎2025 List‎, 45 Recognized as Ones to Watch

Articles + Publications

Locke Lord QuickStudy: FTC Takes Action Against Social ‎Media Posts for Failure to Disclose Material ‎Connections ‎

Articles + Publications

Locke Lord QuickStudy: New FTC Endorsement Guides: What ‎Advertisers and Influencers Need to Know

Webinars

Social Media Posts and Employment Law, Including Memes and Emoticons as Protected Concerted Activity

See all insights from Wasim K. Bleibel

Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Intellectual Property (2025-2026)
  • Super Lawyers® Illinois Rising Star, Intellectual Property Litigation (2014-2021)
  • Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, 5 Under 40 Award (2019)

Top areas of focus

  • President, Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (2024-Present)
  • Member, Membership Sub-Committee, The Economic Club of Chicago (2023-Present)
  • Member, The Economic Club of Chicago (2022-Present)
  • Member, Linn Inn Alliance Advisory Council
  • Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Member, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
  • Fellow, The Chicago Committee’s Pathway to Partnership Program (2019-2020)
  • Member, Pathfinders Program, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2019)

Education

  • University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, J.D., Certificate in Intellectual Property Law; lead articles editor, University of Illinois Chicago Review of Intellectual Property Law, 2011
  • Peking University, 2009
  • Michigan State University, B.A., 2003, chemistry

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Languages

  • Spanish (conversational)
  • Speaker, “Artificial Intelligence and Diversity…Is AI the Great Leveler or Great Disruptor?” Locke Lord, October 30, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Fighting for Justice: A view From the Trenches,” Locke Lord, October 21, 2022.
  • Speaker, “Social Media Posts and Employment Law, Including Memes and Emoticons as Protected Concerted Activity,” Federal Bar Association, May 19, 2022.
  • Co-author, “FTC Takes Action Against Social Media Posts for Failure to Disclose Material Connections,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, November 20, 2023.
  • Co-author, “New FTC Endorsement Guides: What Advertisers and Influencers Need to Know,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, July 10, 2023.
  • Co-author, “Memes, Emoticons, and Social Media Posts as Protected Concerted Activity,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, February 22, 2022.
  • Co-author, “FDA Announcement on User Fees for the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Program for FY 2021,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, March 26, 2021.
  • Co-author, “Case Closed: Facilities That Manufactured Hand Sanitizers During the Pandemic Will Not Be Charged User Fees,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, January 13, 2021.
  • Co-author, “HHS Withdraws FDA’s ‘Arbitrary, Surprise’ OTC User Fee and Proposals for FY 2021,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, January 11, 2021.