Michael T. Hawkins is a principal in the Twin Cities office of Fish & Richardson P.C. His practice emphasizes post-grant proceedings, pre-suit investigations, U.S. and foreign patent portfolio strategy and management, patentability analysis, clearance investigations, intellectual property licensing and agreements, and due diligence investigations. Mr. Hawkins is a specialist in inter partes reviews/post-grant proceedings, representing both patent owners and third party challengers in numerous proceedings, including serving as lead counsel for Google, ResMed, Huawei, Samsung, Microsoft, and Arctic Cat in various post-grant proceedings. He develops strategic, cost-effective solutions for these clients to achieve their business goals and/or litigation objectives/settlements. Not only does Mr. Hawkins represent a number of Fortune 100 companies, but his work also focuses on strategic counseling for emerging companies to develop a comprehensive approach to intellectual property, such as conducting freedom to operate studies, obtaining patent protection in the U.S. and abroad, and planning defensive and offensive strategies. In addition to his victories in his field, Mr. Hawkins was recognized in “The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners” by IAM Patent 1000, where he was singled out nationally as a leading attorney for post-grant proceedings (2020). He has also been recognized as an “Up & Coming” lawyer by Minnesota Lawyer, and as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (Minnesota 2016).
Education
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School 2004
Managing Editor, Minnesota Law Review
magna cum laude
B.S., University of Minnesota 2000
Mechanical Engineering
with high distinction
Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 2015
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 2005
- Minnesota 2004
Recognitions
- Named a “Leading Patent Professional” and recommended for post-grant proceedings by IAM Patent 1000 (2020-2021).
- Recognized as a “Rising Star – Minnesota” by Super Lawyers (2016-2017)
- Recognized as “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Minnesota Lawyer (2013)
Publications
- “What the PTAB Precedent Panel Said in Its First Decision,” Law360 (April 2, 2019)
- “Implementing Strategies for an Offensive Patent Portfolio,” Journal of Industrial Biotechnology, Vol. 6, No. 3 pp. 141-43 (2010)
- “Prosecution Laches in the Wake of Symbol Technologies: What is ‘Unreasonable and Unexplained’ Delay?” 87 Minn. L. Rev. 1621 (2003)
Speaking Engagements
- “Techniques For Achieving An Efficient And Effective Freedom-to-Operate Analysis” Fish Webinar (June 3, 2020)
- “How Do Supreme Court Decisions Really Affect Patent Applicants? A Statistical Analysis” Patents on Tap (November 29, 2018)
- “Overview of IPRs and Post-grant Proceedings” (October 12, 2018)
- “The Upcoming Supreme Court Decision in Helsinn v. Teva: Can Secret Sales Invalidate a Patent?” Patents on Tap (September 13, 2018)
- “Berkheimer v. HP: A Favorable Shift for Software and Medical Methodology Patents?” Fish Webinar (July 19, 2018)
- “Berkheimer v. HP: A Favorable Shift for Software and Medical Methodology Patents?” Patents on Tap (June 21, 2018)
- “Overview of IPRs and Post-grant Proceedings” (April 9, 2018)
Media Mentions
- Quoted, “Ban on IPR Time-Bar Tricks Will Spur New Strategies,” Law360 (March 20, 2020)
- Quoted, “PTAB Rulings Show Potential New Way To Defeat AIA Reviews,” Law360 (April 9, 2019)
- Quoted, “Checking In On SAS Institute 6 Months Later,” Law360 (November 30, 2018)
- Quoted, “6 Weeks After SAS Institute: Here’s What We Know,” Law360 (June 8, 2018)
- Named, “PTAB Agrees to Review Part of Polaris ATV Patent,” Law360 (July 5, 2017)
- Named, “PTAB Invalidates Claims In Polaris ATV Patent,” Law360 (January 31, 2017)
- Named, “Law360‘s Weekly Verdict: Legal Lions & Lambs,” Law360 (December 1, 2016)
- Named, “Fed. Circ. Backs Google, Samsung PTAB Win On Graphics IP,” Law360” (November 29, 2016)
- Named, “Apple, Google, Samsung Get Mapping Patent Win At PTAB,” Law360 (September 21, 2016)
- Named, “Arctic Cat Wins Ax of Rival’s ATV Patent Claims at PTAB,” Law360 (February 4, 2016)
- Named, “Google, Samsung Get Graphics Patents Axed in AIA Review,” Law360 (June 17, 2015)
- Quoted, “Apple, Samsung, Lead Charge to Kill Infringement Lawsuits by Going to Patent Office,” Daily Journal (June 4, 2015)
- Named, “Google, Samsung Get Another Micrografx Patent Axed,” Law360 (July 22, 2015)
- Named, “PTAB Nixes Warsaw Spine Implant Patent in AIA Review,” Law360 (December 22, 2014)
Experience
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