Peter J. Chassman

Over Pete’s 24-year career, Pete has served as lead counsel in numerous patent and commercial cases in U.S. federal courts from coast to coast, before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, giving him extensive experience in the direct and cross-examination of witnesses, claim construction (Markman) hearings, and briefing and oral argument, trial, and appeal. Pete always prepares his cases with an eye toward trial, as he represents his clients in all aspects of patent litigation from pre-filing through trial. Often Pete leads joint defense groups in multi-defendant cases, including many in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Pete utilizes his high tech background in electrical and computer engineering background to represent high-tech clients effectively, and he has been widely recognized by legal publications and rankings, including Chambers USA and the IAM Patent 250 and 1000, and Super Lawyers for his abilities. In its 2015 commentary, Chambers USA stated that in the profession Pete “is praised as 'excellent' by sources for his work as a patent litigator and trial lawyer. He is steeped in electrical engineering and is also highly skilled with cases concerning medical devices and oilfield equipment.”

Pete has handled cases in a range of technologies, including integrated circuits, computers, liquid crystal displays, data storage and retrieval, cellular and other telecommunications, software, Internet technology, electrical technology, energy, healthcare, payroll and benefits processing, semiconductor processing, medical devices, oilfield technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and mechanical devices, among others. In recent years, Pete has represented high-tech companies such as Dell, Research In Motion, HTC Corporation, Motorola Mobility, and AOL in patent litigation.

Pete’s litigation practice goes beyond patent cases. He also litigates trade secrets, patent licensing disputes, and other commercial disputes, and, in addition, has been highly successful in achieving his clients’ objectives through all forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Pete also has extensive transactional experience negotiating and drafting patent license and other technically-oriented contracts and advising on patent portfolio acquisitions and defense.