David Dykeman

David Dykeman is a renowned patent attorney with expertise in the life sciences. He serves as co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s global Life Sciences & Medical Technology Practice and co-managing shareholder of their Boston office.

He is a widely recognized expert in medical device patents, having been named one of the top 250 Patent and Technology Licensing Practitioners worldwide by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine, an “IP Star” by Managing IP magazine, a “Life Science Star” by LMG Life Sciences, as well as being listed in Chambers.

Early Life and Education

Dykeman was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina and has lived there most of her life. She loves writing about the area and has extensive knowledge about it.

Dykeman’s novels challenge traditional perceptions of women by placing strong female characters at the forefront. Her protagonist Lydia McQueen in The Tall Woman, for instance, strives to build a school for mountain children after the Civil War.

Her two best-known works, The Tall Woman and its sequel The Far Family, are set in Appalachia but offer much that is universal. Her blend of social history, historical fiction, and memoir is filled with concern for the future.

Professional Career

David Dykeman chose law after a successful career in education. Admitted to the Bar in 1997, he now represents clients with Intellectual Property issues throughout Massachusetts.

He is a registered patent attorney specializing in life sciences, medical devices, robotics and materials. As such, he provides strategic patent portfolio development and intellectual property advice for major research institutions, multinational corporations and early stage businesses alike.

Dykeman is a Co-Managing Shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Boston office and co-chairs its global Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group. He was named “Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year – Massachusetts” by LMG Life Sciences, one of the top 250 Patent & Technology Licensing Practitioners by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine, an IP Star by Managing IP magazine, and one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists in the IAM 300 list.

Achievement and Honors

Dykeman was an accomplished author, producing over eighteen books in her lifetime. Her fiction works, particularly The Tall Woman and its sequel The Far Family, challenged common stereotypes about Southern women and earned her many awards and honors.

She wrote extensively on environmental subjects, particularly the French Broad River in western North Carolina. Her books, including Return the Innocent Earth, were widely praised as foreboding warnings of what can happen if environmental degradation continues unchecked.

Additionally, she was recognized as an inspiring leader with the Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award – the oldest of Coast Guard awards for active duty and reservist members.

Personal Life

David Dykeman had a remarkable professional career, yet also enjoyed an abundant personal life. A loving husband and father, with a deep-felt affinity for his family and friends, David truly lived life to the fullest.

An accomplished electrical engineer, he spent his career with Litton Industries designing inertial navigation systems for submarines. Additionally, his top secret security clearance allowed him to remain secret.

Dykeman’s writing has been praised for its awareness of social issues and positive representations of Appalachia. Her books often touch upon topics such as class bias and economic imbalance, racial inequality, regional stereotyping, education rights issues, and environmentalism.

She was an acclaimed writer and inspirational public speaker, honored by Governor Lamar Alexander as Tennessee’s state historian. Her works often serve as examples of how Appalachia can be positively portrayed.