OUR TEAM
Shanshan Liang, Esq.
Shanshan “Shannon” Liang was born in China and attended Tongji University for her B.Eng, degree and Fudan University for a minor degree in law. She came to the U.S. to obtain her Ph.D. in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The State University of New York at Stony Brook where she published many scientific articles in peer-reviewed conferences and journals.
Shanshan moved to Florida with her family in 2009, graduating Magna Cum Laude from The Florida State University College of Law. Her engineering background has helped her to achieve multi-million dollar duty reductions for several clients. Shannon + Mooney PLLC offers a perfect fit for her engineering, language, and legal skills.
J.D. with High Honors, College of Law, Florida State University. Business Certificate with Highest Honor
Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook
B.Eng., Tongji University
Second Degree in Law, Fudan University
Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association
Customs and International Trade Bar Association
Published/Edited: Florida State University Business Review
Published/Edited: Florida State University Journal of Transnational Law and Policy
Johnathan Foege, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Born and raised in Florida, Johnathan attended Florida State University, where he received a B.S. in International Affairs and a B.A. in Italian Language and Culture, with a minor in linguistics.
Attracted to work in International Trade, Johnathan pursued his Juris Doctorate at Florida State University, College of Law. There, he competed for two years in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition and served as Vice President of FSU’s International Law Students Association. He graduated from FSU Law with his J.D. in 2024, also earning the Certificate of International Law with honors.
Johnathan began working with Liang + Mooney, PLLC in 2023 as a law clerk. He found the firm to be a unique fit for his passion for international law. As an associate attorney to the firm, he is excited to add value and see what the future has in store.
J.D. with Certificate of International Law with honors, College of Law, Florida State University.
B.Sci., International Affairs, Florida State University
B.Arts, Italian Language and Culture, with a minor in Linguistics
Lara Schmertmann Costa, L.L.M.
A Tallahassee native, Lara received a B.A. in Political Science and Portuguese, cum laude, from the University of Florida before moving to Brazil.
After what was intended to be a short-term break between undergraduate studies and law school in the United States became permanent, she decided to pursue a law degree in Brazil. Lara completed her law degree in 2020 and became a member of the Brazilian Bar. She was a member of the Special Commission on International Law, Foreign Commerce, and Maritime Law of the Bahian chapter of the Brazilian Bar from 2022-2024.
Lara began working with Liang + Mooney, PLLC while enrolled in the LL.M. in Business Law at Florida State University. She completed her LL.M., summa cum laude, in 2021, and has stayed on with Liang + Mooney ever since.
L.L.M., summa cum laude, Florida State University College of Law
Bacharelado em Direito (L.L.B. equivalent), Universidade Católica do Salvador
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Portuguese, cum laude, University of Florida
Pierce A. Mooney, Patent Practitioner, PMI-ACP
As a registered U.S. Patent Agent (#80,968), he prepares and prosecutes patents for public companies, venture-backed startups, and individual inventors in diverse industries including AI/ML, software, electronics/wireless, and materials/mechanical/biotech. His work routinely involves searching prior art to support Freedom to Operate (FTO) analyses, invalidity positions, and patent portfolio management at an international scale. He brings a global perspective on patent prosecution, focusing on high-value patent strategies, cross-border filings, and international compliance.
Pierce served as a USPTO patent examiner under TC 2600’s Patent Eligibility point of contact, building insider knowledge in software patent prosecution. He examined speech and language processing and completed the Patent Training Academy with a 100% final test score. Pierce contributed to one of the world’s most profitable patent portfolios—mostly wireless/5G/SEP and machine learning technologies including PCT filings —developing a strategic sense for covering international standards.
Pierce teaches patent statutes and examination practices as an Expert Patents Lecturer at Trinity Law School, writes IP policy updates for IPWatchdog, and volunteers at the National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP) administering case law summaries and databases. He also speaks at organizations such as the California Lawyers Association, NAPP Annual Meeting, and Inventors Councils, combining his technical background with IP training in areas like PCT filings, PTAB proceedings, and advanced licensing agreements.
University Education
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– B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Honors College, Business Minor – University of Central Florida (UCF)
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– Entrepreneurship Specialization Certificate Program, Wharton Online with additional courses in Operations, Finance, and Design
Licenses and Certifications
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– Registered U.S. Patent Agent Practitioner
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– PMI-ACP Agile Certified Practitioner + 50 other certificates.
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– USPTP Patent Examiner Training Courses
Memberships and Boards
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– Society Chair, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); 12 years’ active membership
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– Contributor, NAPP Case Law Review Team (National Association of Patent Practitioners)
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– Patent Pathways 501(c)3 Patent Bar Exam Mentor & Curriculum Contributor
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– Founder of the 501(c)3 for ICCF, the 2nd oldest inventors’ council in the U.S., provided meeting space, marketing, and speakers