Patrick J. Smith is a patent attorney at Greer, Burns & Crain in Chicago.  As a former analytical chemist, Mr. Smith’s legal practice at GBC focuses primarily on U.S. and international patent preparation and prosecution with a concentration in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering.  While his undergraduate degree is in chemistry, Mr. Smith has significant experience in preparation and prosecution of patent applications for additional technological fields, for example, negative pressure wound bandages, catheters, artificial grass systems, dental equipment, x-ray devices, and automotive conveyance systems, to name a few.   Mr. Smith’s intellectual property legal experience also involves all aspects of intellectual property enforcement and litigation.  He works regularly with clients to implement strategies for patent procurement and enforcement.  Mr. Smith also has significant experience with due diligence and opinion work regarding patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and patent validity.

Mr. Smith received his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 2004.  Prior to law school, he was awarded a B.S. (Chemistry) from Creighton University in 2001.  He also worked as an Analytical Chemist for the Army Corp of Engineers.  Mr. Smith was awarded an LL.M. in Intellectual Property (with honors) from The John Marshall Law School in 2005.

Experience

• U.S. and Foreign Patent Prosecution
• Opinions on Patent Infringement, Validity, and Enforceability
• Patent Litigation
• U.S. Trademark Prosecution
• Trademark Litigation
• Trade Secret Litigation

Bar Memberships

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Supreme Court of the State of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (filing only)

Example Technical Fields

• Inks
• Oxygen Activated Heaters
• Battery Cells
• Carbon Dioxide Discharge Devices
• Detergents
• Bleaches
• Catalysts
• Syntactic Foams
• Paper & Paper Coatings
• Chemical Compositions
• Chemical Coatings
• Chemical Processes
• Product Packaging
• Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Devices
• Fastener Assemblies
• Hand and Power Tools
• Artificial Grass Systems