Professionals

Regarded by his peers as a “Leading Lawyer in Patent Litigation,” Jeffrey H. Dean has successfully represented a wide variety of clients in litigation involving a diverse range of technologies. He has significant experience defending and prosecuting patents in the areas of agricultural biology, medical devices, manufacturing methods and design patents.

Representative examples of recent matters include:

• Two separate patent jury trials involving the defense of a leading manufacturer of genetically modified agricultural seeds in connection with patent infringement claims involving genetically modified corn and soybeans. Both juries invalidated both of the plaintiffs' patents, leading a national law publication to refer to one of the victories as one of the Biggest Defense Wins of 1998.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of writing instruments against patent infringement claims relating to ink storage or overflow chambers in free-ink markers.

• The successful prosecution of trade secret and correction of inventorship claims relating to heart lead removal technology on behalf of a leading manufacturer of heart pacemakers and defibrillators.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of home storage and organizing products against patent infringement claims relating to kitchen drawer organizers.

• The successful prosecution of patent infringement claims on behalf of a leading manufacturer of children's products in litigation involving foldable child stroller technology.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of culinary products against claims of patent infringement relating to low-conductive and low-convective cooking handles used in professional-grade cookware. Mr. Dean obtained summary judgment of non-infringement prior to the taking of any discovery by the plaintiff.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of window furnishings against claims of patent infringement relating to a decorative design for a magnetic curtain rod. Mr. Dean again obtained summary judgment of non-infringement prior to the taking of any discovery by the plaintiff.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of paint application tools against claims of patent infringement relating to do-it-yourself faux and decorative wall painting.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of insulated beverage containers against patent infringement claims relating to insulated travel mugs and car cup holders.

• The successful defense of a leading manufacturer of extruded plastics against patent infringement claims relating to extruded plastic garage door jams.

• The representation of a leading manufacturer of heat exchangers in connection with its appeal of a decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to deny patent claims relating to condensers and heat exchangers for use in automotive HVAC systems.

• The successful prosecution of patent infringement claims on behalf of a leading manufacturer of absorbent garments in connection with proprietary “inner-flap” or “stand-up flap” technology used in infant disposable diapers.

Mr. Dean is a 1992 alumnus of Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude, and argued for the first prize team in the Harvard Law School Ames Moot Court Competition. He is also a 1989 alumnus of the University of Chicago, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and served as a Junior Fellow in the John M. Olin Center for Inquiry Into the Theory and Practice of Democracy.