IP Copilot is excited to welcome Shawn Gorman to our Advisory Board.
Shawn is a seasoned patent attorney and IP leader with experience across private practice, government, and high-growth technology companies. He currently serves as Chief IP Counsel at Whisper Aero, where he leads intellectual property strategy for breakthrough propulsion technology designed to dramatically reduce noise and improve the future of aerospace.
Before joining Whisper Aero, Shawn served as a Patent Attorney at NASA, supporting innovation at one of the world’s most important research organizations. He has also held senior roles including Director of Intellectual Property, and spent more than a decade in private practice as an Equity Partner at Banner & Witcoff, a nationally recognized IP law firm.
Across these roles, Shawn has built deep expertise in freedom-to-operate analysis, patent prosecution, portfolio strategy, trademarks, and broader IP risk management. He is known for taking a practical approach to IP that reflects how innovative companies actually operate. His perspective is grounded in the reality that great legal work is not just about being technically right. It is about helping teams make smart decisions, move faster, and bring products to market responsibly.
A business-first view of IP
One of the reasons we are so excited to work with Shawn is that he consistently frames intellectual property through a business lens. He believes that in-house legal teams are there to advise, not to slow things down. That mindset aligns closely with what we are building at IP Copilot.
Shawn has also been clear about a truth many teams learn the hard way. IP only creates value when it offensively or defensively supports the client’s core mission instead of unnecessarily removing valuable resources from R&D. That is the kind of clarity we want embedded in our platform and our roadmap as we continue building for in-house teams, outside counsel, and innovation organizations.
A builder’s mentality and a commitment to mentorship
Shawn is drawn to organizations that challenge the status quo and build something better. That shows up in his work, his leadership style, and the companies he chooses to support.
He is also widely respected for the way he invests in people. Shawn has a long history of mentoring younger attorneys and supporting professional communities. He believes in helping others succeed without making it transactional, and he has been a strong advocate for sharing practical guidance with the next generation of IP professionals.
Looking ahead
Shawn’s experience advising cutting-edge engineering teams, building and defending IP portfolios, and balancing legal risk with business realities will be invaluable as IP Copilot continues to grow.
We are honored to welcome Shawn Gorman to the IP Copilot Advisory Board and look forward to working together.
Please join us in welcoming Shawn to IP Copilot.
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