Timothy J. May

Partner
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

Tim May has more than 20 years of experience in the field of U.S. patent law. He practices patent litigation and counsels clients on IP management matters. His practice encompasses a range of technical areas, including software, medical devices, industrial equipment, semiconductor devices, and electronics.

Tim has managed patent litigation activities for overseas clients, and led litigation teams through nearly all phases of litigation, including, worldwide discovery efforts, depositions, claim construction, motion practice; as well as settlement hearings and negotiations. He has also been involved in more than 40 reexamination and post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Tim was a resident partner in the firm’s European office for five years. While in Europe, he gained substantial experience advising European high-tech companies on U.S. patent matters. Tim currently manages the U.S. prosecution and global patent portfolios for European clients in various electrical and mechanical technologies. He is also a frequent lecturer on U.S. patent law and has spoken at numerous conferences in Europe.

Tim represented an IC fabricator in a complex cross-licensing dispute with one of the market leaders, involving more than 40 patents asserting multiple patents, including leading case for offensive patents, leading to a successful settlement. He manages the patent portfolio of one of the world’s leading financial services companies and one of the world’s leading business software companies. He also manages the global IP portfolio for a leading scientific instrumentation company, regularly advising on strategic portfolio development and third-party contentious matters, and manages the U.S. patent portfolio for a major manufacturer of packaging equipment. He advises on patent strategy and contentious matters. He supervises the U.S. patent portfolios of several medical device manufacturers.

Before joining the firm, Tim worked at the USPTO, where he examined patent applications relating to digital communications, image analysis, and measurement devices. In law school, he served as a member of the George Mason Law Review.