Damien Howard

Damien Howard advises on strategic patent procurement for domestic and international clients involved in the electronics, medical devices, and software industries. Damien is also skilled in post-grant proceedings, such as Inter Partes Review, as well as due diligence initiatives and licensing deals. Damien has counseled clients that range from individual inventors and start-ups to large corporations, including a number of Fortune 500 companies. Notably, several of his start-up and smaller clients have been successfully acquired.

Damien is well-versed in a wide variety of technological disciplines and has been repeatedly named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch guide, which “recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice”, for Technology Law. He has written and successfully prosecuted patents relating to semiconductors, computer processors, power amplifiers, couplers, telecommunications, medical devices, consumer electronics, network and Internet technologies, video games, augmented reality, computer security, weapon systems, automotive vehicles, marine vehicles, sportswear, logistics and asset management, packaging, and food and beverage. Further, Damien advises clients on emerging technologies, including blockchains, distributed ledgers, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning technologies.

Damien is skilled in protecting his clients’ IP and steering clear of any obstacles that stand in the way. A prolific writer and speaker on IP and technology law, Damien thrives when working on breakthrough innovation that changes the way people live. Regardless of the size or complexity of the matter at hand, Damien is valued by clients and colleagues alike for consistently superior work product and intelligent legal advice.

Before joining the firm, Damien worked as a Patent Engineer preparing and prosecuting patents for several large technology companies. Prior to his legal career, Damien worked as an engineer at a defense contractor, where he developed software, and designed antenna systems and power dividers. He also worked as a software developer at a large telecommunications company. Clients appreciate his real world engineering experience and ability to apply the law in a way that actually makes sense to their business.

Extern Experience

Judicial Extern, Honorable Sidney I. Schenkier, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois