Jessica Combs, MS, JD

I'm a registered patent attorney and the founder of Combs Law, a solo intellectual property practice in Indianapolis. I help inventors, researchers, startups, and established companies protect their ideas through patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and related business agreements.

Law is my second career. Before becoming an attorney, I spent 25 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry at Eli Lilly, Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions, and Labcorp (formerly Covance). I began as a scientist and later moved into technical and operational leadership, managing multidisciplinary teams in highly regulated environments. My work included drug development, biologics and formulation chemistry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality systems, regulatory submissions, and process improvement.

Long before I became a patent attorney, I was a scientist contributing to patentable discoveries. I understand what it is like to be on the inventor's side of the conversation, and how important it is to work with an attorney who listens carefully, understands the technology, and recognizes what makes an idea valuable. When clients explain what they have created, they do not have to translate the science for me.

My industry experience also taught me that a good idea has to work outside the laboratory. It has to hold up through development, manufacturing, regulatory review, and commercialization. Having worked alongside scientists, engineers, quality professionals, business leaders, regulators, and clients, I bring both a technical and a practical perspective to intellectual property matters. I help clients consider not only whether an idea can be protected, but also whether pursuing that protection makes sense for their broader goals.

I earned my J.D., along with a certificate in intellectual property law, from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, completing the evening program while continuing to work full time in the pharmaceutical industry. I also hold a master's degree in chemistry from Purdue University in Indianapolis. My scientific work has included the characterization and formulation of proteins, antibodies, and other large molecules, and I have co-authored peer-reviewed research on antibody formulation and virus-retentive filtration.

I'm admitted to practice law in Indiana and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and because patents, trademarks, and copyrights are federal, I work with clients across the country. I work with clients through the whole intellectual property process, from evaluating an idea and developing a protection strategy to preparing applications, reviewing agreements, and helping them make informed decisions about what is worth pursuing.

I built Combs Law to be the kind of firm I would want to call: small on purpose, easy to reach, and straightforward. Every client works directly with me. I take the time to understand both the idea and the person behind it, and I am clear about the available options, likely costs, and practical value of moving forward. I lead this practice the way I led teams in industry: I tell people the truth about where they stand, I look for the path that gets them where they want to go, and I adjust the plan when the facts change. Matters are handled on a flat-fee basis, with the cost explained before the work begins.

At its core, my practice is about helping people protect ideas they have invested their time, knowledge, and energy in creating. I take that responsibility personally.