Patrick C. Keane

Patrick C. Keane is a globally recognized Intellectual Property standout and licensed Professional Engineer (PE), blending legal, technical and business expertise. He counsels clients in all aspects of Intellectual Property (IP), balancing patent litigation strategy, targeted use of USPTO post-grant AIA proceedings and strategic development of IP portfolios to optimize his clients' business leverage, revenue and product sales. A member of Buchanan's firmwide leadership team, he is also responsible for the IP section’s National Security team and assists with firmwide diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Clients depend on Patrick for his expertise in global strategies including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) licensing, litigation, appeals, post grant proceedings such as inter partes/post-grant reviews, and strategic development of international IP portfolios. He has been named to the IAM Strategy 300 - The World's Leading IP Strategists consecutively since 2017. In 2023, he was also named to the inaugural IAM Strategy 300 – Global Leaders, a list of the top-ranked IP strategists from across the world.

How Patrick Helps Clients

IP Litigation – U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Federal & State Courts
With more than 20 years of experience, Patrick’s litigation background includes representing small, mid and large cap companies in state and federal court actions and in proceedings before the International Trade Commission, including litigation for Fortune 500 companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Hewlett Packard. His extensive IP litigation experience encompasses both pre-America Invents Act (AIA) procedures and post-AIA PTAB procedures.

IP Portfolio Development
Patrick oversees high-profile portfolio development in recognized upstart technologies of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), 5G/6G, blockchain and cloud computing. Many current products incorporate technologies that are the subject of portfolios he helped develop, such as IPV6, JAVA, SCADA and iPhone. His significant electrical engineering and computer science experience includes work as an Examiner in computer electronics and software-related arts of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  As a prior design engineer for a predecessor of TE Connectivity, he developed electrical, electronic and fiber optic interconnection systems.

Transactional IP as a Business Driver
Patrick provides strategic guidance on company growth via evaluation of IP and its role in business activities such as joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, government contracts and franchising opportunities. His transactional skills include SEP/FRAND and IoT licensing models.

Product Tear-Down
Working with third-party consultants, Patrick analyzes competitive products with regard to litigation, potential patent licensing and patent portfolio development/enhancement opportunities.

IP Arbitration
Patrick represents patent owners in arbitration to resolve licensing disputes and optimize patent monetization, and effectively uses PTAB proceedings as an arbitration tool.

Acknowledged Leadership

In addition to being named to the IAM Strategy 300 and IAM Global 300, the IAM Patent 1000 publication repeatedly recognizes him among industry leaders, noting he, "has a strong foundation in all areas of intellectual property and does a fantastic job no matter what he focuses on. He is a dedicated, resourceful and skilled IP strategist and a creative problem solver." He also is repeatedly recognized as an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property.

Patrick is active in the Federal Circuit Bar Association, elected as President in 2023. In this role, he regularly interfaces with global IP thought leaders to help drive legal and policy-based initiatives aimed at improving IP quality and efficiency. In recognition of his history of service to the organization, he received the George Hutchinson Committee Service Award in 2016.

What Clients Can Expect

A tailored Client Service Plan focused on client-specified communication to achieve project expectations at agreed-upon budgets is a cornerstone of Patrick's client relationship. Regular on-site client visits with complimentary updates on U.S. IP law are integrated into the Client Service Plan to build personal trust and demonstrate commitment to partnered success.

Multidisciplinary teams are organized under the Client Service Plan to optimize collaboration with in-house counsel and create innovative solutions to legal issues.

I will not quit until successful resolution is achieved.

Proof Points

• Negotiated high value Master Service Agreements with IP value driven terms involving AI technology.  
• Obtained a favorable decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit regarding US entry of technology involving a critical healthcare product line. Developed and leveraged highly valued IP portfolios, with targeted enforcement and in-court defense thereof.
• Prepared written opinions to mitigate client risk and potential liability for willful infringement and enhanced damages.
• Resolved Federal District Court and ITC litigation involving patent infringement through technology-relevant legal teams.
• Negotiated commercial contract disputes involving IP rights, using state court actions, arbitration and PTAB proceedings, including disputes involving SEP/FRAND technology.
• Strategically implemented product teardown to: (1) establish leverage in patent owner infringement actions, and (2) to create effective defensive design-around.

Note: Patrick's practice in Florida is limited to federal intellectual property matters.