Four Decades for Justice
David J. Kappos is Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost leaders in the field of intellectual property, including intellectual property management and strategy, the development of global intellectual property norms, laws and practices as well as commercialization and enforcement of innovation‑based assets. Mr. Kappos supports Cravath’s clients with a wide range of their most complex intellectual property issues, including those pertaining to blockchain, cryptoassets and fintech, as well as data security and privacy.
From August 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Kappos served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In that role, he advised the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property policy matters. As Director of the USPTO, he led the Agency in dramatically re‑engineering its entire management and operational systems as well as its engagement with the global innovation community. He was instrumental in achieving the greatest legislative reform of the U.S. patent system in generations through passage and implementation of the Leahy‑Smith America Invents Act, signed into law by President Obama in September 2011.
Prior to leading the USPTO, Mr. Kappos held several executive posts in the legal department of IBM, including litigation counsel, Asia Pacific IP counsel and, from 2003 to 2009, Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Lawyer responsible for all patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters worldwide.
Mr. Kappos has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field of intellectual property, including, among others, the 2014 Global Agenda Council Vision Award for the Intellectual Property Council’s pro bono initiative from the World Economic Forum, the 2014 Jefferson Medal from the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), the 2013 Board of Director’s Excellence Award from the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the 2013 Champion of Intellectual Property Award from the District of Columbia Bar Association and the 2013 North America Government Leadership Award from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI). He was also honored as the inaugural recipient of IPWatchdog’s Paul Michel Award in 2021. Mr. Kappos was named one of the “Top 25 Icons of IP” by Law360, one of the “50 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” and the “Outstanding Practitioner of the Year in IP Transactions” by Managing IP, one of the “Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers” and one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal, “Intellectual Property Professional of the Year” by the Intellectual Property Owners Association and inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine in 2012. Mr. Kappos was also recognized as a leading lawyer by IAM Global Leaders, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Patent 1000, World IP Review, The Legal 500 US, Who’s Who Legal: Patents, LMG Life Sciences, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent speaker and has authored many published articles on various intellectual property, innovation and leadership topics.
Mr. Kappos serves on the Boards of Directors of the Partnership for Public Service, the Center for Global Enterprise and the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation and on the Advisory Board for C‑IP2. He is the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Naples Roundtable and is a Co‑Chair of the Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Cornell Law School, where he teaches legal advising for the start‑up general counsel.
Mr. Kappos was born in Palos Verdes, California. He received a B.S. summa cum laude in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1983 and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990.
From August 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Kappos served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In that role, he advised the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property policy matters. As Director of the USPTO, he led the Agency in dramatically re‑engineering its entire management and operational systems as well as its engagement with the global innovation community. He was instrumental in achieving the greatest legislative reform of the U.S. patent system in generations through passage and implementation of the Leahy‑Smith America Invents Act, signed into law by President Obama in September 2011.
Prior to leading the USPTO, Mr. Kappos held several executive posts in the legal department of IBM, including litigation counsel, Asia Pacific IP counsel and, from 2003 to 2009, Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Lawyer responsible for all patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters worldwide.
Mr. Kappos has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field of intellectual property, including, among others, the 2014 Global Agenda Council Vision Award for the Intellectual Property Council’s pro bono initiative from the World Economic Forum, the 2014 Jefferson Medal from the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), the 2013 Board of Director’s Excellence Award from the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the 2013 Champion of Intellectual Property Award from the District of Columbia Bar Association and the 2013 North America Government Leadership Award from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI). He was also honored as the inaugural recipient of IPWatchdog’s Paul Michel Award in 2021. Mr. Kappos was named one of the “Top 25 Icons of IP” by Law360, one of the “50 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” and the “Outstanding Practitioner of the Year in IP Transactions” by Managing IP, one of the “Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers” and one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal, “Intellectual Property Professional of the Year” by the Intellectual Property Owners Association and inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine in 2012. Mr. Kappos was also recognized as a leading lawyer by IAM Global Leaders, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Patent 1000, World IP Review, The Legal 500 US, Who’s Who Legal: Patents, LMG Life Sciences, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent speaker and has authored many published articles on various intellectual property, innovation and leadership topics.
Mr. Kappos serves on the Boards of Directors of the Partnership for Public Service, the Center for Global Enterprise and the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation and on the Advisory Board for C‑IP2. He is the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Naples Roundtable and is a Co‑Chair of the Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Cornell Law School, where he teaches legal advising for the start‑up general counsel.
Mr. Kappos was born in Palos Verdes, California. He received a B.S. summa cum laude in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1983 and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990.
International Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association
Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference
Center for Global Enterprise
Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy (C-IP2)
Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation
Partnership for Public Service
World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Economics of Innovation
Naples Roundtable
Best Lawyers in America
Euromoney Legal Media Group
Intellectual Asset Management
Law360
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
Managing Intellectual Property
The National Law Journal
Super Lawyers - New York
Who’s Who Legal
World IP Review
Board of Director’s Excellence Award, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), 2013
Champion of Intellectual Property Award, District of Columbia Bar Association, 2013
IP Professional of the Year Award, Intellectual Property Owners Association, 2011
Jefferson Medal, New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), 2014
Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, The Burton Awards, 2018
North America Government Leadership Award, Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), 2013
Paul Michel Award, IPWatchdog, 2021
Deals & Cases
February 28, 2024
On February 28, 2024, Viatris Inc. (“Viatris”), a global healthcare company, and Idorsia Ltd (“Idorsia”) announced they have entered into agreements for a significant global research and development collaboration under which Viatris will receive exclusive global development and commercialization rights to two Phase 3 assets as well as the potential to add additional innovative assets in the future.
Deals & Cases
February 12, 2024
On February 12, 2024, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta”) announced that on February 11, 2024, it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 20 active aggregates operations in Alabama, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia from affiliates of Blue Water Industries LLC (“BWI Southeast”) for $2.05 billion in cash. Additionally, on February 9, 2024, Martin Marietta completed its previously announced divestiture of its South Texas cement and related concrete operations to CRH Americas Materials, Inc., a subsidiary of CRH plc, for $2.1 billion in cash. Cravath is representing Martin Marietta in connection with the transactions.
Deals & Cases
February 06, 2024
On February 6, 2024, altafiber, provider of integrated communications solutions over its fiber‑optic network to residential and business customers in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and TowerBrook Capital Partners (“TowerBrook”), the New York and London‑based international investment firm, announced that TowerBrook has agreed to acquire CBTS, a leading North American provider of IT solutions and services, from altafiber. Cravath is representing altafiber in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
February 01, 2024
On February 1, 2024, DRI Healthcare Trust (“the Trust”), a global leader in providing financing to advance innovation in the life sciences industry, announced it has expanded its interest in royalties on the U.S. net sales of Omidria® by amending its existing agreement with Omeros Corporation ("Omeros") for $115 million on closing and up to $55 million in potential sales‑based milestone payments. As a result, the Trust will now receive 100% of Omeros’s royalties on the U.S. net sales of Omidria® through December 31, 2031. Cravath is representing DRI Healthcare Trust in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
January 31, 2024
On January 31, 2024, Health Care Service Corporation (“HCSC”), the country’s largest customer‑owned health insurer, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with The Cigna Group (“Cigna”) to acquire its Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses for a purchase price of $3.3 billion. Cigna’s Medicare plans currently serve 3.6 million Medicare members. Cravath is representing HCSC in connection with the transaction.
Activities & Publications
March 18, 2024
On March 14, 2024, Cravath hosted its 2024 Web3 Regulatory Forum at its offices in New York. The event brought together lawyers from the Firm, market participants, executives, investors and others for presentations by practitioners, current and former regulators, and interactive roundtables examining the most significant regulatory developments in the digital assets and Web3 space.
Activities & Publications
March 05, 2024
On March 5, 2024, Cravath partner David J. Kappos participated in “Preserving U.S. Leadership in Biopharmaceutical Innovation,” an event hosted by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in Washington, D.C. Dave and other experts spoke alongside the Honorable Paul R. Michel, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, about why the U.S. may have lost its lead in advanced technology industries, including telecommunications equipment, and how policymakers can support cutting‑edge innovation and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Activities & Publications
February 12, 2024
In February 2024, Cravath continued its “Tech Explainers” series, which introduces and explains technical, cutting‑edge concepts and describes their importance in a way that is accessible to and easily understood by business and legal professionals outside the technical community.
Activities & Publications
February 07, 2024
On February 2, 2024, Cravath published a memo for its clients entitled “Potential FSOC Scrutiny of ‘Big Tech’ Firms.”
Activities & Publications
January 29, 2024
On January 22, 2024, Cravath partner David J. Kappos participated in the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel’s 2024 Winter Meeting, which was held from January 21‑24, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, and featured leading professionals to discuss the latest developments in intellectual property law. Dave spoke on a panel entitled “What’s Been Going on at the Federal Circuit?” The Association of Corporate Patent Counsel was created to provide a forum for Chief Patent Counsel (or equivalent) to share best practices related to intellectual property management, operations, strategies and the issues and challenges faced on the job.
David J. Kappos is Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost leaders in the field of intellectual property, including intellectual property management and strategy, the development of global intellectual property norms, laws and practices as well as commercialization and enforcement of innovation‑based assets. Mr. Kappos supports Cravath’s clients with a wide range of their most complex intellectual property issues, including those pertaining to blockchain, cryptoassets and fintech, as well as data security and privacy.
From August 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Kappos served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In that role, he advised the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property policy matters. As Director of the USPTO, he led the Agency in dramatically re‑engineering its entire management and operational systems as well as its engagement with the global innovation community. He was instrumental in achieving the greatest legislative reform of the U.S. patent system in generations through passage and implementation of the Leahy‑Smith America Invents Act, signed into law by President Obama in September 2011.
Prior to leading the USPTO, Mr. Kappos held several executive posts in the legal department of IBM, including litigation counsel, Asia Pacific IP counsel and, from 2003 to 2009, Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Lawyer responsible for all patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters worldwide.
Mr. Kappos has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field of intellectual property, including, among others, the 2014 Global Agenda Council Vision Award for the Intellectual Property Council’s pro bono initiative from the World Economic Forum, the 2014 Jefferson Medal from the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), the 2013 Board of Director’s Excellence Award from the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the 2013 Champion of Intellectual Property Award from the District of Columbia Bar Association and the 2013 North America Government Leadership Award from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI). He was also honored as the inaugural recipient of IPWatchdog’s Paul Michel Award in 2021. Mr. Kappos was named one of the “Top 25 Icons of IP” by Law360, one of the “50 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” and the “Outstanding Practitioner of the Year in IP Transactions” by Managing IP, one of the “Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers” and one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal, “Intellectual Property Professional of the Year” by the Intellectual Property Owners Association and inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine in 2012. Mr. Kappos was also recognized as a leading lawyer by IAM Global Leaders, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Patent 1000, World IP Review, The Legal 500 US, Who’s Who Legal: Patents, LMG Life Sciences, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent speaker and has authored many published articles on various intellectual property, innovation and leadership topics.
Mr. Kappos serves on the Boards of Directors of the Partnership for Public Service, the Center for Global Enterprise and the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation and on the Advisory Board for C‑IP2. He is the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Naples Roundtable and is a Co‑Chair of the Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Cornell Law School, where he teaches legal advising for the start‑up general counsel.
Mr. Kappos was born in Palos Verdes, California. He received a B.S. summa cum laude in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1983 and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990.
From August 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Kappos served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In that role, he advised the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property policy matters. As Director of the USPTO, he led the Agency in dramatically re‑engineering its entire management and operational systems as well as its engagement with the global innovation community. He was instrumental in achieving the greatest legislative reform of the U.S. patent system in generations through passage and implementation of the Leahy‑Smith America Invents Act, signed into law by President Obama in September 2011.
Prior to leading the USPTO, Mr. Kappos held several executive posts in the legal department of IBM, including litigation counsel, Asia Pacific IP counsel and, from 2003 to 2009, Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Lawyer responsible for all patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters worldwide.
Mr. Kappos has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the field of intellectual property, including, among others, the 2014 Global Agenda Council Vision Award for the Intellectual Property Council’s pro bono initiative from the World Economic Forum, the 2014 Jefferson Medal from the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), the 2013 Board of Director’s Excellence Award from the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the 2013 Champion of Intellectual Property Award from the District of Columbia Bar Association and the 2013 North America Government Leadership Award from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI). He was also honored as the inaugural recipient of IPWatchdog’s Paul Michel Award in 2021. Mr. Kappos was named one of the “Top 25 Icons of IP” by Law360, one of the “50 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” and the “Outstanding Practitioner of the Year in IP Transactions” by Managing IP, one of the “Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers” and one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal, “Intellectual Property Professional of the Year” by the Intellectual Property Owners Association and inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine in 2012. Mr. Kappos was also recognized as a leading lawyer by IAM Global Leaders, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Patent 1000, World IP Review, The Legal 500 US, Who’s Who Legal: Patents, LMG Life Sciences, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent speaker and has authored many published articles on various intellectual property, innovation and leadership topics.
Mr. Kappos serves on the Boards of Directors of the Partnership for Public Service, the Center for Global Enterprise and the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation and on the Advisory Board for C‑IP2. He is the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Naples Roundtable and is a Co‑Chair of the Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Cornell Law School, where he teaches legal advising for the start‑up general counsel.
Mr. Kappos was born in Palos Verdes, California. He received a B.S. summa cum laude in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1983 and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1990.
International Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association
Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference
Center for Global Enterprise
Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy (C-IP2)
Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation
Partnership for Public Service
World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Economics of Innovation
Naples Roundtable
Best Lawyers in America
Euromoney Legal Media Group
Intellectual Asset Management
Law360
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
Managing Intellectual Property
The National Law Journal
Super Lawyers - New York
Who’s Who Legal
World IP Review
Board of Director’s Excellence Award, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), 2013
Champion of Intellectual Property Award, District of Columbia Bar Association, 2013
IP Professional of the Year Award, Intellectual Property Owners Association, 2011
Jefferson Medal, New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), 2014
Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, The Burton Awards, 2018
North America Government Leadership Award, Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), 2013
Paul Michel Award, IPWatchdog, 2021
Deals & Cases
February 28, 2024
On February 28, 2024, Viatris Inc. (“Viatris”), a global healthcare company, and Idorsia Ltd (“Idorsia”) announced they have entered into agreements for a significant global research and development collaboration under which Viatris will receive exclusive global development and commercialization rights to two Phase 3 assets as well as the potential to add additional innovative assets in the future.
Deals & Cases
February 12, 2024
On February 12, 2024, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta”) announced that on February 11, 2024, it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 20 active aggregates operations in Alabama, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia from affiliates of Blue Water Industries LLC (“BWI Southeast”) for $2.05 billion in cash. Additionally, on February 9, 2024, Martin Marietta completed its previously announced divestiture of its South Texas cement and related concrete operations to CRH Americas Materials, Inc., a subsidiary of CRH plc, for $2.1 billion in cash. Cravath is representing Martin Marietta in connection with the transactions.
Deals & Cases
February 06, 2024
On February 6, 2024, altafiber, provider of integrated communications solutions over its fiber‑optic network to residential and business customers in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and TowerBrook Capital Partners (“TowerBrook”), the New York and London‑based international investment firm, announced that TowerBrook has agreed to acquire CBTS, a leading North American provider of IT solutions and services, from altafiber. Cravath is representing altafiber in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
February 01, 2024
On February 1, 2024, DRI Healthcare Trust (“the Trust”), a global leader in providing financing to advance innovation in the life sciences industry, announced it has expanded its interest in royalties on the U.S. net sales of Omidria® by amending its existing agreement with Omeros Corporation ("Omeros") for $115 million on closing and up to $55 million in potential sales‑based milestone payments. As a result, the Trust will now receive 100% of Omeros’s royalties on the U.S. net sales of Omidria® through December 31, 2031. Cravath is representing DRI Healthcare Trust in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
January 31, 2024
On January 31, 2024, Health Care Service Corporation (“HCSC”), the country’s largest customer‑owned health insurer, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with The Cigna Group (“Cigna”) to acquire its Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses for a purchase price of $3.3 billion. Cigna’s Medicare plans currently serve 3.6 million Medicare members. Cravath is representing HCSC in connection with the transaction.
Activities & Publications
March 18, 2024
On March 14, 2024, Cravath hosted its 2024 Web3 Regulatory Forum at its offices in New York. The event brought together lawyers from the Firm, market participants, executives, investors and others for presentations by practitioners, current and former regulators, and interactive roundtables examining the most significant regulatory developments in the digital assets and Web3 space.
Activities & Publications
March 05, 2024
On March 5, 2024, Cravath partner David J. Kappos participated in “Preserving U.S. Leadership in Biopharmaceutical Innovation,” an event hosted by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in Washington, D.C. Dave and other experts spoke alongside the Honorable Paul R. Michel, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, about why the U.S. may have lost its lead in advanced technology industries, including telecommunications equipment, and how policymakers can support cutting‑edge innovation and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Activities & Publications
February 12, 2024
In February 2024, Cravath continued its “Tech Explainers” series, which introduces and explains technical, cutting‑edge concepts and describes their importance in a way that is accessible to and easily understood by business and legal professionals outside the technical community.
Activities & Publications
February 07, 2024
On February 2, 2024, Cravath published a memo for its clients entitled “Potential FSOC Scrutiny of ‘Big Tech’ Firms.”
Activities & Publications
January 29, 2024
On January 22, 2024, Cravath partner David J. Kappos participated in the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel’s 2024 Winter Meeting, which was held from January 21‑24, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, and featured leading professionals to discuss the latest developments in intellectual property law. Dave spoke on a panel entitled “What’s Been Going on at the Federal Circuit?” The Association of Corporate Patent Counsel was created to provide a forum for Chief Patent Counsel (or equivalent) to share best practices related to intellectual property management, operations, strategies and the issues and challenges faced on the job.
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