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MICHAEL BEST CONSULTING LLC

MICHAEL BEST STRATEGIES LLC
Connecting Companies With Industry Innovators And Influential Allies

VENTURE BEST®
Your Legal Partner For High-Growth Entrepreneurs

Kyle Hepner Photo

Kyle G. Hepner

Senior Counsel
kghepner@michaelbest.com
Washington, D.C.
T.202.747.9574
Legal Assistant
Miho Tanaka
T.202.747.9596

Overview

Kyle’s outstanding track record is built on experience in all phases of Intellectual Property, including successful outcomes in patent and trademark district court litigation, Federal Circuit appeals, and Patent Trial and Appeal Board proceedings. Kyle also has substantial experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications and international patent portfolio management. As part of Michael Best’s Blockchain, Digital Currencies & Smart Contracts industry group, Kyle advises clients on the emerging Intellectual Property issues in blockchain, NFT, and other distributed ledger technologies. Clients value his insights and experience in a range of mechanical and electrical fields, including:

  • LED lighting and optics
  • Smart home systems
  • Vehicle control systems
  • Wireless communication and data compression
  • Distributed ledger technology
  • Manufacturing systems and methods
  • Industrial designs

Prior to joining Michael Best, Kyle spent several years at intellectual property law firms in the Washington, D.C. area handling a wide range of litigation, domestic, and international patent prosecution, and portfolio management. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as a patent searcher performing patentability, infringement, clearance, and validity searches. Kyle has also performed research on nanotechnology and computer-integrated manufacturing.

Experience

Notable matters include:

Patent Infringement Defense on Underground Storage Products

Kyle acted as second chair counsel for defendants in a patent infringement and unfair competition action related to an important product line of enclosures for underground utilities. Kyle’s team was able to secure a favorable claim construction ruling on key claim terms early in the matter and the case was successfully settled for the client shortly thereafter.

Biotech Patent Defense for Higher Education

Kyle represented a university in a $300 million patent infringement suit for patent ownership and standing on a biotech patent related to a genetic mutation used to diagnose Alzheimer’s. The mutation was discovered at the university by a professor, but the patent was filed by, and assigned to, a corporation established, in part, by the professor after he had left the university. Kyle was part of the trial team that was able to intervene as a third party and win a jury verdict affirming the university’s rights as the sole assignee of the patent. 

Electrical Outlet and Power System Patent Infringement

Represented a client as both a defendant and a plaintiff in federal district court in multiple jurisdictions in a series of patent infringement claims with damages totaling up to $100 million. Kyle’s team achieved a favorable settlement for his clients that included cross licensing of the patents involved in the various suits. 

Honors & Recognitions

  • Washington, D.C. Rising Stars- Intellectual Property Litigation, SuperLawyers, 2018

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Member, Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, District of Columbia Bar Association

Education

  • George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2008
  • George Washington University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), 2005; Mechanical Engineering

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court Virginia
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Related News

Education

  • George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2008
  • George Washington University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), 2005; Mechanical Engineering

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court Virginia
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
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