John P. Higgins

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.

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.

Prior to joining Summa, Additon & Ashe, 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. More recently, Mr. Higgins served as an expert witness in trade secret litigation.

Mr. Higgins has been elected as a Business North Carolina Legal Elite for 2005, 2009 and 2011, and as one of North Carolina’s Super Lawyers® for 2006 though 2010. He has also been selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Intellectual Property Law. Mr. Higgins served (by appointment of the US District Court) as a member of the Advisory Committee on Local Patent Rules for the Western District of North Carolina.

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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