William F. Nixon, a Director, joined the firm in 2012 to take over the Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Practice Group from retiring attorneys. In that time, he expanded this practice area to include clients from Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, Israel, and Russia as well as growing business from domestic clients. Mr. Nixon focuses on the preparation and prosecution of U.S. specifications as well as advising his foreign clients on the proper manner to prepare such documents to avoid patent-eligibility problems. He also provides and manages patentability, invalidity, and non-infringement opinions for domestic and foreign clients.
Mr. Nixon also represents U.S. and foreign companies with the Amazon Neutral Evaluation Program which allows intellectual property owners to enforce their rights against potential infringers. He also helps sellers that have been unfairly accused to have their products relisted and complaints retracted. His team further provides opinions and strategies to prevent further problems for sellers and to help them obtain their own intellectual property protection.
Mr. Nixon also assists clients in identifying and harvesting inventions for their technologies. He advises clients in building their patent portfolios for licensing or monetization. For U.S. clients, he uses his network of foreign associates and contacts to file priority applications overseas. He has lectured in Japan and China on patent matters and regularly visits Asian countries to solidify his relationship with the firm’s clients. Mr. Nixon regularly attends conferences to meet and engage with foreign associates, including INTA, APAA, AIPPI, and AIPLA meetings.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Nixon served in the United States Air Force as an Engineering Officer from 1988 to 1994. After that, he joined various law firms until 2008, when he founded his own firm, Nixon IP Law.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, with distinction, Virginia Military Institute, 1988
Masters of Science, Management Science, University of Dayton, 1993
Juris Doctor, cum laude, University of Dayton, 1997
Honors and Awards
Tau Beta Pi
Eta Kappa Nu
CALI Award: International Law & Comparative Law
Membership and Affiliations
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
– Electronic and Computer Law Committee
– Emerging Technologies Committee
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)- Observer
International Trademark Association
Small Business Development Centers of Virginia
Admissions
District of Columbia Bar (1998)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (1999)
Admitted to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office (1999)
Speaking Engagements and Publications
Guest speaker at conferences pertaining to small businesses
Teaching Experience
Guest lecturer, Virginia Military Institute
