Nathan Smith is counsel in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Orange County office. Nathan’s practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property law. In particular, he focuses on strategic portfolio management and counseling in the medical device industry, including offensive and defensive competitive strategies, infringement studies, strategic transactions, and domestic and foreign patent prosecution.
His technical experience encompasses a wide range of technologies, such as: cardiovascular devices and interventions, including various stent projects and drug delivery therapies; orthopedic devices, including total hip revision, bone fracture fixation devices, spinal devices and procedures; endoscopic devices and procedures; eyewear; personal electronics; automotive; dental devices and procedures; recreational equipment; footwear; and various mechanical technologies.
Prior to joining McDermott, Nathan was an associate at a prominent intellectual property law firm, where he counseled startups and established multinational companies on their portfolio strategies, analyses of patent validity, patent infringement and freedom to operate. He was also previously a judicial extern for Chief Judge Randall R. Rader at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Nathan received his J.D. from Brigham Young University Law School, where he was the senior editor of the BYU Law Review. While earning his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University, Nathan was inducted into Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
Nathan has authored several articles relating to issues surrounding intellectual property and its enforcement. In addition, he has spoken to public and private groups, including university and medical technology associations, regarding intellectual property portfolio strategy and management, as well as the recently-enacted America Invents Act. Nathan was also named a Top OC Patent Attorney in the 2011 edition of OC’s Top Lawyers by OC METRO magazine.
Nathan is admitted to practice in California and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and is a member of various organizations, including OCTANe and the Orange County Bar Association.