Scott Catlin serves as Of Counsel to Bochner PLLC, bringing over two decades of multifaceted legal, business, and executive leadership experience to the firm’s Intellectual Property and Corporate practices. With a rare background spanning Am Law 100 litigation and prosecution, Fortune 500 in-house leadership, university technology transfer, management consulting, and startup founder experience, Scott acts as a trusted strategic advisor to companies ranging from early-stage emerging technology ventures to multi-billion-dollar global enterprises.
Prior to joining Bochner, Scott served as Legal Section Head (General Counsel) and Chief IP Counsel for Abbott Medical Optics, a $1.1B ophthalmic medical device division of Abbott Laboratories. In this role, he led an 18-person legal team, managed global portfolio strategies across 40+ outside counsel, generated over $170 million in offensive/defensive patent litigation and licensing settlements, and spearheaded legal execution for five major M&A transactions valued at over $5 billion.
Scott’s deep expertise in technology commercialization is further highlighted by his tenure as Associate Vice President for URVentures at the University of Rochester. There, he directed global IP protection, startup formation, and technology transfer—managing over 700 patent families, launching 10+ VC-backed companies, and driving over $55 million in licensing returns across software, optics, diagnostics, and cell therapies. Scott is also an active tech founder, having co-founded VC-backed ventures in laser vision correction (Clerio Vision) and zero-knowledge cryptographic software (Ligero).
Scott began his legal career as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (JAG) in the United States Air Force, where he tried over 15 cases before courts-martial and federal magistrates. Following his service, he advised on business strategy at Bain & Company and practiced IP law at top Silicon Valley firms, including Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
Capabilities & Key Experience
- Patent Portfolio Strategy & Commercialization: Extensive experience developing, managing, and enforcing high-value global patent portfolios in complex fields such as semiconductors and metasurfaces, optical sensors and vision science, medical devices, ophthalmic technologies, cryptography, and biotech.
- Licensing & Strategic Alliances: Structuring and negotiating complex technology licensing agreements, university tech transfer, joint ventures, open-source software clearances, and cross-border commercial transactions.
- In-House General Counsel Advisory: Serving as fractional and outside General Counsel for growth-stage technology startups, establishing foundational IP policies, privacy/compliance programs, software clearances, and corporate governance tailored to lean budgets.
- M&A & Complex IP Litigation: Guiding strategic acquisitions, divestitures, and high-stakes IP disputes, with a proven track record of extracting maximum value from offensive patent litigation and defensive resolutions.
Professional Background & Past Leadership
- Metalenz Inc. – General Counsel & IP Counsel (Part-Time)
- Scriptr Global, Inc. - General Counsel (Part-Time)
- Ligero, Inc. – Founder, Legal Counsel & Secretary
- Clerio Vision, Inc. – Founder & IP Counsel
- URVentures (University of Rochester) – Associate Vice President, Technology Ventures
- Abbott Medical Optics, Inc. / Advanced Medical Optics – Section Head (General Counsel) & Division Counsel, IP
- Reliant Technologies, Inc. – Director of IP Development & Legal Counsel
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Lyon & Lyon LLP – IP Associate (Silicon Valley)
- United States Air Force – Captain, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (JAG)
Honors
- Lecturer: Practicing Law Institute (PLI) – Advanced Licensing Programs (2010–2019)
- Board Member: Junior Achievement of Central Upstate NY (2015–2021)
- Board Member: IBU Design and Development Inc. (2016–2020)