Michael Bednarek, who represents some of the world’s largest technology and financial services companies in patent and intellectual property litigation in the United States, has joined Locke Lord as a Partner in Washington, D.C. He will be a member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Department.

Bednarek has more than 30 years of experience in intellectual property law, where he focuses his practice on patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright litigation. He regularly advises clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including information technology, software, consumer electronics, computer, automotive and financial services, on their global patent strategies. Bednarek was an early proponent of patent protection in non-traditional fields as varied as retail, transportation and hospitality, and he continues to be a thought leader on the design and implementation of worldwide IP strategies.

“Michael is especially positioned to advise our technology clients, as he has been at the forefront at advising clients on all aspects of intellectual property law regarding state-of-the-art technologies in software, microelectronics and telecommunications,” said Alan B. Clement, Chair of Locke Lord’s Intellectual Property Department. “His deep familiarity with the U.S. Patent Office and International Trade Commission as well as his extensive network in Japan, Taiwan and China and throughout Europe will be a perfect complement to our Intellectual Property team, both in our D.C. office and firmwide.”

Before joining Locke Lord, Bednarek was a Partner at Axinn, Veltrop, Harkrider LLP in Washington, D.C. He began his career as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the early 1980s, where he examined some of the first software patents.

“Locke Lord’s highly regarded Intellectual Property Department, coupled with its Washington, D.C. location, offers the ideal platform to expand my practice, especially since much of it focuses on patent litigation cases brought before the ITC and Patent Office,” said Bednarek. “I am excited to join my new colleagues, who have always impressed me with their legal acumen, integrity and professionalism.”

Recognized by Chambers Global and the Legal 500 as a leading IP practitioner, Bednarek has earned the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating and was named to the “World’s 300 Leading IP Strategists” listing by IAM Magazine and the “Hot 100 Lawyers List for Asia” by Asian Legal Business. He is a frequent author on the topic of global patent and trademark strategy, whose work has been published on six continents, and is a contributor to several books on business methods published in Japan.

“Michael is a highly regarded IP strategist who brings a wealth of experience in ITC matters, particularly in Section 337 claims,” said Bill Kelty, Managing Partner of Locke Lord’s Washington, D.C.’s office. “We are pleased that Michael has joined the Firm, and look forward to working with him to expand our IP litigation resources in Washington and internationally.”

Bednarek earned his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University School of Law and his B.S.E. in engineering from Marquette University. He is a member of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association.