Daniel M. Pauly

Dan brings an entrepreneurial focus and energy to his clients, providing intellectual property guidance to innovators ranging from early-stage ventures to large companies. Dan has extensive experience implementing IP strategies for technologies such as medical devices, polymer coatings, filters, and 3D printing. A significant portion of Dan's practice is also directed to freedom-to-operate investigations, licensing, joint development agreements, technology transfer issues, and trade secrets.

Dan is an adjunct professor of Patent Law at the University of St. Thomas Law School, and he has directed the University of Minnesota Law School Intellectual Property Moot Court. He has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law and Politics and has been named one of the Top 40 Intellectual Property Super Lawyers in Minnesota. Prior to formation of Pauly, DeVries Smith, and Deffner, Dan was a partner at the Minneapolis office of Merchant & Gould, where he served as co-chair of the ChemBio Practice Group and on the Practice Chair Committee.

Outside of work Dan is an active all-season visitor to, and advocate for, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA).  Dan is the author of Exploring the Boundary Waters, a guide to the BWCA published by the U of M Press, served on the board and chairperson of the Friends of the Boundary Waters, and is a frequent speaker on Boundary Waters issues.