Overview
Joseph F. Jennings is a litigation partner in the firm’s Orange County office.
Mr. Jennings represents various clients in all type of intellectual-property disputes, including those involving patents, trademarks, trade-secrets, and related unfair competition claims. His primary emphasis is handling patent cases. He has represented clients in district courts throughout the country and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has also represented clients in connection with international disputes involving litigation in jurisdictions throughout the world. His cases have involved a vast array of technologies and products, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor processing, optics, thin film technology, medical devices, and surgical procedures.
Mr. Jennings has been an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University Law School where he taught Patent Litigation. He is also a member of several professional groups and a past Board Member of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.
Mr. Jennings is also active in the community as a volunteer with various youth sports programs and has served as a Board Member for the Newport Beach Little League since 2002 and President since 2011.
Mr. Jennings joined the firm in 1991 and became a partner in 1996.
Education
- University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1989), Notre Dame Law Review
- Drexel University (B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1985), Phi Eta Sigma National Engineering Honor Society, Dean's List all semesters
Representative Matters
KFx Medical Corp. v. Arthrex Inc., Case No. 3:11-cv-01698 (S.D. Cal. 2013), aff’d, No. 11-1372 (Fed. Cir. 2015).
Led a trial team in representing start-up medical-device company in obtaining a jury verdict of $29 million for induced infringement of three KFx Medical patents. The district court granted additional damages and interest, bringing the total award to $35 million. Argued the appeal before the Federal Circuit, which summarily affirmed the district court judgment.
Applied Medical Resources Corp. v. United States Surgical Corp., 353 F. Supp.2d 1075 (C.D. Cal. 2004), aff'd, 453 F.3d 1356 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
In jury trial, represented medical-device maker in obtaining verdict of $43.5 million and a finding that Tyco-Unit U.S. Surgical had willfully infringed patent. The Court upheld the verdict, enhanced the damages, and entered a $64.5 million judgment. The appellate court affirmed the judgment in its entirety.
Alltech, Inc. v. Cenzone Tech, Inc., et al. (S.D. Cal. Case No. 06 CV 0153 JM (RBB).
Represented patent owner Alltech in case involving infringement of patent directed to compositions and methods for combating mycotoxins in animal feed. Obtained ruling of summary judgment of infringement, and also obtained summary judgment dismissing a defense of invalidity and dismissing an antitrust counterclaim. The parties settled their dispute shortly before trial under confidential terms, with the defendant agreeing to pay an undisclosed sum to Alltech.
Applied Medical Resources Corp. v. Gaya Ltd. (C.D. Cal. Case No. CV05-8914 GPS (SHx).
Represented medical-device maker seeking a declaratory judgment of noninfringement against patent owner. Successfully stayed a related trade secret/breach of confidence lawsuit filed against client in Ireland in favor of U.S. arbitration. Obtained favorable Markman ruling in declaratory judgment action and a final consent judgment of no infringement on behalf of client.
Comedy III Productions, Inc. v. Gary Saderup, Inc., 25 Cal. 4th 387 (2001).
As amicus curiae on behalf of American Intellectual Property Law Association in case where California Supreme Court upheld the Three Stooges’ right of publicity claim over a first amendment challenge by a party using their likeness without authorization.
Roche Palo Alto v. Ranbaxy Labs. Ltd., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 90804 (D.N.J. 2009).
Represented defendants in patent infringement action in the District of New Jersey on a patent relating to valganciclovir (the active ingredient in Roche’s Valcyte® product). Obtained a successful judgment of noninfringement following trial.
Schering Corp. v. Roussel-Uclaf SA, 104 F.3d 341 (Fed. Cir. 1997), aff’g 958 F.Supp. 196 (D. Del. 1996).
Represented coowner of pharmaceutical patent and established its right to sublicense third party.
Oakley, Inc. v. Sunglass Hut, Int’l, 61 U.S.P.Q.2d 1658 (C.D. Cal. 2001).
Represented plaintiff, owner of patent for lens coatings, in obtaining preliminary injunction.
Verteq, Inc. v. SubMicron Systems, Inc. (C.D. Cal. Case No. CV 92-460 GLT (EEx)).
Represented owner of patent for semiconductor cleaning apparatus/method in obtaining summary judgment of infringement; case later settled with entry of consent judgment.
LifeScan, Inc. v Can-Am Care Corporation, 859 F.Supp. 392 (N.D. Cal. 1994).
Represented diagnostic test strip manufacturer in obtaining summary judgment of noninfringement based upon implied license to practice patented method.
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- Recognized in the “Best Lawyers 2025 Guide” for Intellectual Property Litigation and Patent Litigation in Best Lawyers in America (2024)
- Selected to the 2018 – 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Patent Litigation
- Selected for inclusion in the 2017 – 2021 “Southern California Super Lawyers” list by Super Lawyers magazine for his work in intellectual property litigation
- Ranked Top 10 Best Performing IPR Attorney – Patexia 2018 IPR Intelligence Report
- Recognized in The Legal 500 “United States 2015” as being an outstanding practitioner. In this guide, he was noted for securing $35 million and a significant competitor license for start-up company KFx Medical
- Named to the Daily Journal‘s list of the Top Intellectual Property Attorneys in 2014 and 2015, where he was recognized among the Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators. The Daily Journal selects attorneys for inclusion on its list based on a number of criteria, including hundreds of nominations and staff selections, along with each nominee’s major intellectual property successes over the last year
Affiliations
Association of Business Trial Lawyers
Federal Circuit Bar Association
International Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Orange County Bar Association
Orange County Patent Law Association