James Parrett, J.D., M.S., PharmD., serves as vice president of UTRF’s Memphis Office, where he oversees technology transfer and commercialization activities supporting innovators at the UT Health Sciences, UT Martin and UT Southern. He also serves as legal counsel in designated situations, providing strategic guidance on intellectual property and technology commercialization.
Parrett joined UTRF in 2021 as a technology manager and was promoted to staff attorney in 2022 before assuming his current role as vice president in 2026. He brings more than a decade of experience in technology transfer and a multidisciplinary background as a pharmacist, patent attorney, research scientist and technology transfer professional.
As a registered patent attorney, Parrett has extensive experience managing university technologies, negotiating and drafting research-related agreements, licensing innovations and advising on patent strategy for inventions developed across the UT System.
Before joining UTRF, Parrett served as manager of pharmaceutical development and intellectual property at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Earlier in his career, he practiced pharmaceutical patent litigation, representing major pharmaceutical companies.
Originally from Virginia, Parrett earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from James Madison University, a Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School, a Master of Science in pharmaceutical sciences and administration and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi.
Parrett is admitted to practice law in Delaware, Mississippi, Colorado and Tennessee and is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a licensed pharmacist in Mississippi, Colorado and Tennessee.