Michael V. Messinger

Mike is a partner in the Vorys Washington, D.C. office and member of the intellectual property group.  He began his career serving for six years as a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) handling an active optoelectronic devices and systems docket.  Now, Mike brings unique patent solutions from defensive and offensive perspectives.  He helps clients harvest innovation, protect products and services, and monetize or defend patent portfolios.  Mike also represents pro bono asylum seekers before immigration courts and federal agencies. 

Throughout his career, Mike has helped companies of all sizes, universities and individuals create IP strategies for protection and to enhance their freedom-to-operate in computer, electronics and sustainable technologies.  He routinely works with company officers and engineers to identify patentable inventions and build strategic patent portfolios.  Mike also has significant experience as lead counsel in complex inter partes review proceedings, reissue and ex parte patent reexamination before the USPTO.

Mike has deep experience prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications.  This includes developing worldwide patent portfolios that track company business goals and writing and prosecuting numerous patent applications covering inventions in cloud computing, machine learning, computer networking (Internet and World-Wide Web technologies), browsers, geographical information systems, graphics processing, high-speed optical communications, solar, wind and tidal energy, and data mining.  Mike has also helped clients sell, license or enforce hundreds of patents. 

Mike serves as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches patent licensing.

Mike received his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S. magna cum laude in physics from Duke University.

Prior to joining Vorys, Mike was the co-founder of the boutique IP law firm Shami Messinger PLLC and earlier in his career he served as a partner at other IP boutique and general practice law firms.