Mark Lezama is a litigation partner in our Orange County office specializing in patent disputes.
Mark represents patent owners and accused infringers alike, in jurisdictions all across the country. He approaches litigation thoughtfully, working with clients to position their cases for meaningful victories. In a recent contract case involving a patent license, Mark obtained for his client a court-ordered injunction requiring the licensee to honor its agreement and withdraw its challenges to his client’s patents at the Patent and Trademark Office. When the licensee appealed, Mark obtained an affirmance from the Ninth Circuit for his client. In another case, Mark obtained key evidentiary rulings for his client early on, laying the groundwork for the court to rule that his client did not infringe just six months into the case. Mark builds on courtroom successes like these by planning and taking strategic steps out of court for his clients, including pursuing inter partes review by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also counsels on patent-portfolio strategy, patent-infringement and validity assessments, and licensing transactions.
Owing to his strong background in mathematics and computer science, Mark’s practice encompasses a wide variety of technologies, including such diverse fields as quantum computing, mobile apps, computer networks, cryptography, optics, medical devices, thermoelectrics, internal-combustion engines, and surf systems for sport boats.
Before joining the firm in 2007, Mark worked for the Honorable Rosalyn M. Chapman of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and was Symposium Editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Mark is currently serving as a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, as a member of the Local Rules Advisory Committee for the Central District of California, and as President of the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law.
- Recognized in Profiles in Diversity Journal for "Latino Leadership" (2024)
Quoted in "Steamboat Willie' Mickey Mouse goes public, spawns horror films," Los Angeles Times (January 2024)
Co-author, "Predictions in 3 Key Areas for IP Practitioners This Year,” Law360 (January 2023)
Author, “How Patent Holders Can Avoid Early Dismissal at Pleadings Stage,” Bloomberg Law (November 2022)
Co-author, Seven Keys to Obtaining Meaningful Patent Protection for Your Mobile App, App Developer Magazine (September 2016)
Contributor, 7 Intellectual Property Issues Startup Entrepreneurs Should Not Overlook, JD Supra Legal Perspectives (September 2015)
Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear (December 2009)
Speeches & Seminars
Invited Speaker, Patent Litigation Trends: Focus on PTAB, Western District of Texas, and the District of Delaware, AIPLA Spring Meeting 2023
Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and the Law, Orange County Bar Association, Masters Division
Panelist, Protecting and Enforcing Your High Technology Intellectual Property, Knobbe Martens Hosted Webinar Series
Introduction to Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs and Start-ups, IEEE Orange County Entrepreneurs’ Network (OCEN)