John A. Morrissett

John manages and strategically grows several large domestic and foreign patent portfolios for various electrical and mechanical technologies, including those used in payment systems and digital currency, network security, augmented and virtual reality, imaging, computer hardware and software, communication systems, rotational molding and other industrial manufacturing equipment, engines and fuel systems, automotive and heavy equipment vehicles, biomedical devices, and consumer products. He has drafted or overseen the drafting of hundreds of patent applications, as well as their subsequent prosecution. He counsels clients from product development through patenting and patent assertion. He has also overseen the intellectual property aspects of several strategic acquisitions and sales.

John has worked on several inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. He developed offensive and defensive strategies, prepared written submissions (from petitions and supporting declarations through motions and slide decks for oral hearings) and assisted with preparing technical experts for deposition and other discovery issues.

John’s district court experience includes every phase of litigation, from filing of the complaint to trial. He prepares noninfringement and invalidity positions, assists with fact discovery and preparation of fact and expert witnesses, drafts substantive briefings, and leads negotiations with opposing counsel. As part of managing discovery, he has also overseen and coordinated a large document review involving multiple law firms.

Prior to law school, John tested error correction methods for communication and radar systems at the Naval Surface Warfare Center. He was also involved in technical projects relating to website and database design and development, value stream mapping, quality control, ergonomic design, operations research, manufacturing, and construction (electrical, plumbing, concrete, and brickwork). He is familiar with computer programming languages such as C, C++, PHP, HTML, Java, and SQL, and has entry-level Cisco certification in networking.

• Managed the preparation and prosecution of more than 150 patent applications as part of a strategic growth project to build a patent portfolio having defensive and monetization value for a Fortune 500 technology company.
• Counseled, from initial discussions through closing, an industrial manufacturing client on the intellectual property aspects of its acquisition by another company, largely based on its patent portfolio, for more than $100 million.
• Represented a client that manufactures electrical consumer products in a dispute involving multiple IPR proceedings and district court litigations, including developing noninfringement and invalidity strategies and determining potential design-around options.
• Counseled a baby products manufacturer regarding potential weaknesses in its existing patent portfolio and expeditiously prepared and prosecuted patent applications to target a major competitor, leading to a favorable settlement of more than $1 million.
• Oversaw and coordinated a multifirm team for a large document review, as part of district court litigation on behalf of an eyewear company, and counseled the client regarding discovery issues and a patent misuse defense, leading to a favorable settlement.

• Chambers USA: Intellectual Property Law, Southern Virginia (2023-2025)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch: Intellectual Property Law (2021-2025), Litigation – Intellectual Property (2021-2025)
• Super Lawyers: “Rising Star” Virginia (2021)
• Award for Excellence in Intellectual Property, American Bar Association
• Virginia Business: “Legal Elite,” Intellectual Property Law (2019, 2021-2023)
• Honors, Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, D.C. Access to Justice Commission and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center (2024)