Patrick Finnan is the managing partner of ESF and has been involved in the intellectual property field since 1992, joining the firm in 1997.  With an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering and related practical work experience, Patrick brings a wealth of experience to counseling clients on a wide range of IP matters, representing clients in AIA post-grant proceedings, developing and implementing domestic and foreign patent application prosecution strategies and portfolio management, conducting freedom-to-operate analyses of product designs, preparing invalidity and non-infringement opinions, performing IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs, and negotiating and drafting IP agreements and licenses.  As managing partner, Patrick oversees and coordinates all of ESF’s internal departments and committees.

Patrick specializes in a wide variety of electrical, computer, and communication technologies, including:

  • wireless and network communications
  • antennas and RF signal processing
  • welding and plasma cutting systems
  • computer hardware and software
  • semiconductor fabrication processes and equipment
  • electronic and RF circuitry and devices
  • power supplies and power filtration and management
  • optical networks and optical and laser devices
  • imaging processing and display technologies
  • IoT-related technologies
  • artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms & systems
  • sensors and instrumentation
  • control and feedback systems
  • navigation and radar systems
  • satellite systems

Patrick began his career in intellectual property at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office working as a Patent Examiner and Classifier.  Patrick subsequently joined a large IP boutique in Washington, DC, where he was involved in patent prosecution and litigation, invalidity and non-infringement opinion writing, licensing, and reissue, reexamination, and interference proceedings.

Before embarking on a career in intellectual property, Patrick gained several years of practical engineering experience in the defense sector as a systems engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, now Northrop Grumman Corporation.  While employed at Westinghouse, he was responsible for the design, simulation, and implementation of airborne radar tracking systems.

In his free time, Patrick enjoys spending time with his family, running, reading books, and traveling.

Education

  • J.D., from the Georgetown University Law Center, Magna Cum Laude
  • M.S. in Electrical Engineering, from the Johns Hopkins University, High Honors
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, from the University of Notre Dame, Magna Cum Laude

Admissions

  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • Maryland State Bar
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Practice Areas

Industries

Professional Affiliations

  • American Intellectual Property Association (AIPLA)
  • Maryland Bar Association
  • Order of the Coif
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • Eta Kappa Nu

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