With an extensive background in complex patent and technology-intense matters, Brendan represents clients in commercial and intellectual property litigation.
Brendan previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he was the principal advisor to the Director, helping oversee almost 13,000 employees and manage a $3.3 billion budget. In his role at the USPTO, he participated in briefing and argument preparation for numerous cases at the Federal Circuit and Supreme Court. Recent cases include WesternGeco v. Ion Geophysical, Oil States v. Greene’s Energy Co. and SAS Institute v. Iancu, among others. In addition, Brendan helped manage major policy projects, including the USPTO’s 2019 Section 101 Guidance and numerous rules governing the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
Currently, Brendan focuses on the technology, manufacturing and transportation industries in complex intellectual property disputes involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing and trade secrets. He has experience at every level of intellectual property litigation, including federal district court, the PTAB and the International Trade Commission (ITC). His goal is always to win at every level for clients—but he also knows when it’s in a client’s best interest to settle a case.
After his time at the Department of Commerce and USPTO, Brendan served as Special Assistant to the President and Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing at the White House. In this role, he advised Cabinet-level secretaries, senior White House advisors, and the President of the United States on trade, manufacturing and intellectual property issues. Brendan is known for his inside view of how rules and laws are made provided by his front row seat in the U.S. government at the White House and Department of Commerce. He enjoys his practice area partly because intellectual property rules are continually evolving, and his background gives him an edge in predicting where the law is likely to shift next. It also gives him a talent for understanding matters from both the client’s and the court’s perspectives so that he knows the best way to present an argument to a judge.
Clients appreciate Brendan’s understanding of their intellectual property itself: he has extensive experience with cases involving high-tech products, and he holds a degree in electrical engineering.