Heidi S. Nebel Re-Appointed to the National Plant Variety Protection BoardApril 24, 2020

Des Moines, Iowa, April 24, 2020 — Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, has re-appointed Heidi S. Nebel, Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney, Managing Member, and Chair of the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC, to continue her service on the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Board.

Heidi’s first meeting of the new term will focus on the implementation of PVP protection for asexually reproduced plants and for Cannabis among other issues. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the PVP Board is “composed of 14 members that include farmers, plant breeders, seed industry experts, university professors, and lawyers who have involvement with plant varieties and/or their use”. The mission of the PVP Board is “to provide direction to the PVP Office which ultimately influences the development of new plant varieties by providing an incentive (through intellectual property protection) to the breeders of these varieties”.

“I am honored to be able to continue to represent the interests of the many plant breeders across the country, many of whom are our clients, to help shape policy and IP strategy at a national level,” said Heidi.

Heidi has been an IP attorney for over 25 years, obtaining patents and designing IP strategy in the areas of agricultural biotechnology, plants, and animals. Heidi also enjoys being an advocate of biotechnology, speaking around the country on important issues in the field. Her practice includes representation of more than 30 different universities and research foundations across the country, as well as many Agribusiness companies. Heidi also serves on the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Board of Directors.

Heidi will serve on the PVP Board until May 1, 2022.

About MVS:

McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC is Iowa’s oldest and largest boutique IP firm, helping clients protect their intellectual property rights through patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing and related commercial litigation, both domestically and internationally. MVS has attorneys skilled in all areas of technology including chemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy science as well mechanical, electrical, computer, industrial and aerospace engineering. Many attorneys with the firm have advanced degrees in science in addition to their law degree.