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Joseph J. Mellema
  • Intellectual Property, Patents, Business Law
  • California, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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Biography

Joe Mellema's practice focuses on litigation in federal and state courts, including the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and business and commercial disputes. He has handled patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair business practices, antitrust, and business and commercial lawsuits in all phases of litigation and arbitration.

Joe is well-versed in patent and trademark enforcement, preparation and prosecution, as well as trademark enforcement and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent & Trademark Office. He has considerable experience litigating patents in a variety of technical fields, including optical devices and components, computer networks and databases, semiconductor devices and processes, computer hardware and software, and pharmaceuticals.

He has dual degrees in electrical engineering and physical sciences, and was formerly a systems engineer at Raytheon Company working on next-generation sensors and systems for the Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Joe has particular experience in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, representing companies in patent-related disputes, managing IP portfolios, and conducting due diligence projects. He has represented specialty and brand pharmaceutical companies in disputes under the False Claims Act, involving Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA), and pertaining to trade secrets for proprietary processes for preparing drug formulations and compositions. He has also successfully litigated multi-billion dollar complex pharmaceutical cases under the Hatch-Waxman Act.

Joe was selected to the 2017 Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for Intellectual Property.

Practice Areas
Intellectual Property
Patents
Patent Appeals, Patent Litigation, Patent Prosecution
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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9th Circuit
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Federal Circuit
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U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Partner
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
- Current
Counsel
Michelman & Robinson, LLP
Intellectual Property Litigation Associate
K&L Gates
-
Intellectual Property Litigation Associate
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
-
Intellectual Property Associate
Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP
-
Intellectual Property Associate
Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP
-
Education
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
J.D.
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University of Southern California
B.Sc.
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Biola University
B.Sc.
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Awards
Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2017
Southern California Super Lawyers
Professional Associations
Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association
Member
Current
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Association of Business Trial Lawyers
Member
Current
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Orange County Bar Association
Member
Current
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Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: Antitrust and Unfair Business Practices Section (Vice Chair, 2010-2012; Secretary/Treasurer, 2009-2010)
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California State Bar  # 248118
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
OCBJ: Patent Litigation: TC Heartland Portends Broad Sweeping Changes to Venue Transfers
Orange County Business Journal
Websites & Blogs
Website
Joseph J. Mellema's Website Profile
Website
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP Website
Blog
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell Blog
Contact & Map
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
Orange County
3 Park Plaza
#1100
Irvine, CA 92614
Telephone: (949) 623-7200
Fax: (949) 623-7202