Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Mote) is an independent, nonprofit marine science and education institution, founded in 1955, with its home location in Sarasota, Florida, and consisting of 8 additional campuses, over 25 diverse research programs, 300+ resident staff (including over 40 PhD-level researchers), and 150 non-resident scientists from over 100 different U.S. and international institutions.

Mote is committed to the belief that the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans and coasts begins with research and science education. Mote conducts frontline applied and basic marine research with the goal of translating scientific knowledge and findings into enhancement of a more ocean-literate public and for responses to environmental emergencies in our oceans. Mote is pushing forward the frontiers of marine science and technology and expanding its research, education, and policy programs relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. 

Burr handles Mote's intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution, commercial contracts, and portfolio development based on the inventions, discoveries, and intellectual property generated at Mote.

"We are thrilled to support Mote's groundbreaking marine science research and impactful marine preservation and restoration efforts," said Nate Quirk, partner in the firm's Charlotte office.

“Mote is definitely appreciative of the diverse expertise, and strategic IP thought that Burr provides, it’s a great partnership that’ll continue to grow with Mote science,” said Kevin Claridge, Mote’s Vice President of Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Programs.

Claridge added, “Burr’s experience is assisting with Mote’s entire research portfolio, but their guidance has been instrumental with the tools and technologies developed to mitigate harmful algal blooms, such as under the Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative and US HAB Control Technologies Incubator, and cutting-edge ecosystem restoration science under the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative.”

As part of our ongoing representation, Burr also manages Mote's trademark portfolio, including prosecution, maintenance, management, licensing, and commercialization strategy. Burr also provides guidance on related items for the new Mote Science Education Aquarium, an over one million-gallon, 110,000-square-foot facility opening in the winter of 2024.

"Through our collaborations to date, we’ve already made great strides toward strengthening Mote's intellectual property portfolio and building a foundation for the commercialization of Mote's technologies to increase their reach and impact,” Quirk said. “I am excited to be a part of the future growth and the opportunity to support Mote's efforts to give back to the sea."

Nate Quirk serves as lead legal counsel for managing Mote's intellectual property portfolio of patents and trademarks and advising on legal matters associated with Mote’s intellectual property.