Biographies: Patent Attorneys
 

John P. Higgins (Director)

John Higgins focuses primarily on intellectual property litigation on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, including patent, trademark and trade secret litigation and litigation involving antitrust and unfair trade practices claims.  He has represented both foreign and domestic corporations in a number of federal courts across the country and has successfully resolved disputes by mediation and arbitration.  He has litigated cases in the United States District Courts in California, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

Mr. Higgins also advises and assists clients with obtaining and protecting intellectual property rights and provides opinions relating to infringement and invalidity.  Mr. Higgins has experience in a broad range of technical areas, including organic chemicals, fiber optics, medical testing, packaging, machinery, textile materials and processes, tools, paint films, and computer software.

Mr. Higgins has been elected as one of Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite for 2004 and as one of North Carolina’s Super Lawyers for both 2006 and 2007. Prior to joining Summa, Allan & Additon, P.A. Mr. Higgins was a partner in the Intellectual Property Group of Alston & Bird, LLP and with its predecessor, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson.  Upon graduation from law school in 1990, Mr. Higgins practiced in the area of construction litigation and arbitration for three years with Johnston, Allison & Hord. During that time, his testimony as an expert witness in a jury trial and in an arbitration proceeding helped to obtain substantial damage awards, including attorney fees.

Email: jhiggins@summalaw.com

Admitted:
1997, Registered Patent Attorney

1990, North Carolina

United States Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

State and Federal District Courts (North Carolina)

Registered Professional Engineer, Florida (active) and North Carolina (inactive)

Education:
Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D. cum laude, 1990)

University of Arkansas (B.S. with honors—Chemical Engineering, 1980)

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