ALEXANDRIA, VA—Oblon, one of the largest law firms in the U.S. focused exclusively on intellectual property law, is pleased to announce the promotion of Aldo Martinez, John F. Presper and Ryan W. Smith to partner in the firm's Alexandria office, effective January 2019. Martinez serves as a patent attorney in the firm's Electrical Patent Prosecution practice group, Presper serves as a patent attorney in the firm's Litigation and ITC Litigation practice groups, and Smith serves as a patent prosecution lawyer in the firm's Mechanical Patent Prosecution practice group.
"These attorneys have shown tremendous dedication to Oblon and its clients for more than 10 years," said Managing Partner Philippe J.C. Signore. "Their diverse profiles and commitment will continue to excel Oblon's tradition of providing excellent legal services. We are excited about their elevation to our partnership."
As part of Oblon's Electrical Patent Prosecution practice group, Martinez has more than 10 years of industry experience as an electrical engineer, focused on the design of analog and digital circuits applied to the areas of communications, industrial controls, biomedical instrumentation and consumer electronics. Martinez leads client counseling and patent portfolio development, invalidity and non-infringement opinions, and post-grant proceedings.
Martinez earned his B.S., M.S. and J.D. from Florida International University.
In the Litigation and ITC Litigation practice groups, Presper represents and advises clients involved in patent and other intellectual property disputes in federal court, the International Trade Commission and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as provides patentability, infringement and validity opinions. His litigation experience covers technologies in the chemical, electrical and mechanical arts, as well as trademark, copyright and software license disputes in federal district court. Presper is also a named inventor on three U.S. patents directed to wireless diagnostic monitoring.
Presper earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from Bucknell University and his J.D. from University of Connecticut with a certificate in intellectual property.
In the Mechanical Patent and Prosecution practice group, Smith advises clients and facilitates the acquisition of U.S. patents, and utilizes the Patent Prosecution Highway program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office. Due to his years of automotive industry experience, Smith is particularly knowledgeable about many aspects of automotive technology, including combustion, power transmission, suspensions, hybrid electric technology and fuel cells. He is also experienced in advising clients in matters relating to semiconductor processing, medical devices and consumer electronics.
Smith obtained a B.S. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in mechanical engineering, followed by an M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focusing on engineering science and certification in management of technology. He earned his J.D. with a certificate in patent law from DePaul University.
Originally published by Attorney at Law