$ 525-750 per hour
John E. Whitaker
About John
Biography
John is an intellectual property litigator who handles complex litigation typically on behalf of the rights-owner. With his engineering experience, John's background makes him acutely capable in technology-related litigation, such as patent infringement, copyright infringement, and DMCA violations. Mr. Whitaker has been a registered patent attorney for over two decades.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Copyright Infringement
25%
24 years
Intellectual Property
25%
29 years
Patent Infringement
25%
29 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
33%-45%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 26 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in Georgia for 27 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in Alabama for 29 years
State: Alabama
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
1201 Third Ave., Suite 3600, Seattle, WA, 98101
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John E. Whitaker's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | February 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional, Honest, Comforting. Highly recommend
Was involved with copyright infringement few years back. Having never been involved in such things and not knowing what to do, we panicked. Spoke to an attorney who wanted to meet up to do other things that would cost us more money. After speaking with John over the phone, he gave us options. John wa...
Posted by John | January 5, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Knowledgeable, Honest, Straightforward, and Helpful
I was involved in a copyright infringement dispute and John was an excellent resource for me while I went through the process. He never once blew smoke and always tried to give me all the possibilities and outcomes. Highly recommended.
Posted by Michael | January 21, 2014
Sleepless in Seattle
I am very pleased with the service that i have received from Whitaker Law group. I had Mr. Whitaker review an infringement notice that was sent to me by my ISP. At first thought I was scared to death. I am thankful that they took the time to go over this with me in much detail and handle all resp...
Posted by anonymous | December 18, 2013
Very knowledgeable and helpful lawyer
Mr. Whitaker represented me in a copyright troll case. I could not be more pleased with the outcome and value of the services he provided.
Posted by anonymous | February 26, 2013
2 months Later, he has done nothing with my case.
This attorney wasted 2 months of my time on a copy right and trademark infringment case. At the end of 2 months, he still had done nothing on my case. I then fired him and amd now being represented with a better law firm out of California. I would suggest that people seek an attorney that has more th...
John Whitaker
Replied last March 12, 2013I am very much loathe to comment on a former client's case in a public forum, but I certainly can't let such a disparaging comment go silent. Suffice it to say that what originally looked like a copyright infringement case fairly quickly turned into an inter-personal squabble, which is something I don't handle. So I had to bow out of the representation.
John E. Whitaker's Lawyer Endorsements
"I first met John in a US Army (Reserve) JAG unit at JBLM. In fact, for a while, I was John's rater, and I got to know him well. I can tell you John is a good man. He works hard. He's honest. He's VERY smart. I know that the US Army JAG Corps was very interested in John's intellectual law abilities, and for good reason. I highly recommend John Whitaker."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Venkat Balasubramani
Copyright infringement lawyer | Jan 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"John is a great lawyer. Practical, resourceful, tenacious. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Well respected copyright specialist and IP lawyer. Has a well respected copyright blog and is very current on the issues."
"Mr. Whitaker is an outstanding attorney who provides exemplary advice on Avvo. I would recommend everyone and anyone to him for representation. Even though I have been practicing fo 24 years, as a judge, magistrate, prosecutors, and in private practice, I learn valuable new information from him every day. A superb attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"John is a dedicated attorney and a military officer. I attended a military training course with John where he mentored brand new military attorneys. I highly recommend John."
"I know John from his answers here on AVVO. He not only has excellent technical knowledge, but also the baility to convey it to non-lawyers in language that is non-technical but does not look down to them. I endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Whitaker is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. If I needed an intelectual property attorney in WA he is the first and only attorney I would call. He is credit to the legal profession and a great attorney."
"I have worked with John for over a decade and endorse him as an experienced and knowledgeable patent and intellectual property attorney. John is extremely bright and capable."
"I endorse this lawyer. John provides outstanding service to his clients. His proven track record in the fields of intellectual property law and copyright infringement are second to none. He consistently wins his cases against the biggest corporate giants. I have asked for his expertise on a number of matters and I strongly endorse this attorney."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Best Lawyer - Litigation Patent, Best Lawyers in America
2024
Best Lawyer - Litigation Patent, Best Lawyers in America
2023
Best Lawyer - Litigation Patent, Best Lawyers in America
2022
Best Lawyer - Litigation Patent, Best Lawyers in America
2021
Best Lawyers (Intellectual Property), Best Lawyers in America
2010
Commandant's List (top 20%), Judge Advocate General's School
2010
Highest Class Standing-Contract and Fiscal Law, Judge Advocate General's School
2004
Rising Star, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
1997
Curia Honoris, Cumberland School of Law
Work Experience
2009 - 2019
Judge Advocate, United States Army
2005 - 2019
Principal, Whitaker Law Group
2003 - 2005
Attorney, Lee & Hayes, PLLC
2001 - 2003
Attorney, Merchant & Gould An Intellectual Property Law Firm
1999 - 2001
Attorney, Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
1997 - 1999
Attorney, Jones & Askew
1996 - 1997
Attorney, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne
1995 - 1995
Legal extern, Honorable Edward S. Smith, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
1990 - 1993
Missle Systems Engineer, Teledyne Brown Engineering
Associations
2019 - Present
Seattle IP Inn of CourtMaster of the Bench
2016 - Present
U.S. Supreme CourtMember
2014 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of TexasMember
2013 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of WashingtonMember
2012 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of WisconsinMember
2012 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of TexasMember
2011 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of WisconsinMember
2011 - Present
Federal Bar Association (Western District of Washington chapter)Member
2010 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Litigation SectionMember
2009 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitMember
1999 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of WashingtonMember
1999 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1997 - Present
United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal CircuitMember
1997 - Present
Federal Circuit Bar AssociationMember
1996 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of AlabamaMember
2006 - 2010
Bainbridge Island Girls Lacrosse AssociationPast President
Sample of Legal Cases
David Ford v. Sir Mix-A-Lot
Settled
Radio Systems, Inc. v. Lalor
Jury verdict in favor of client
Alpi International v. Dollar Tree
Favorable settlement
Hangartner v. Intel
Settled
Pettignano v. Amazon, et al.
Ongoing
Alpi International v. Anga Supply
Ongoing
RIPL Corp. v. Google, Inc.
Settled
Nordock, Inc. v. Systems, Inc.
Jury verdict in favor of client
Millenium TGA v. Does 1-939
Case dismissed
Hubbard v. Championship Products
Settled
Hubbard v. Gonzaga University
Settled
Lightstream v. Visiglo
Case dismissed
Zembezia Film LTD v. Does 1-47
Case dismissed against clients
R&D FILM 1 v. Does 1-45
Case dismissed against clients
Third Degree Films v. Does 1-8
Case dismissed against clients
Lightspeed Media Corporation v. Smith et al
Case dismissed
3BA International, LLC v. Kevin LuBahn, et al.
All claims dropped against client
Hard Drive Prods. v. Does 1-1495
Case dismissed
Alpi International v. Ad-line
Favorable settlement in favor of client
Lightstream v. Wenger
Favorable Settlement
Laughing Gas Enterprises v. Anheuser-Busch, et al.
Several favorable settlements
Trade Associates v. Fusion Technologies
Jury verdict in favor of client for all unpaid royalties
Malico v. Cooler Master, et al.
Settled
Korum Auto Group v. Salstrom Motors
Favorable Settlement
Kashless v. Shoutback Concepts
Case dismissed against client
Synchronoss Technologies v. Dashwire, Inc.
Settled.
Taea Thale v. Apple, Inc.
Ongoing
Stewart v. Apple, Inc. et al.
Settled
IPEX v. Adobe Systems, et al.
Settled
Digi-Net Technologies, Inc. v. Talisma, et al.
Settled with all defendants
Evergreen v. RSA Network
Ongoing
Synchrome Technologies v. Dell, IBM, Sony, Gateway, Lenovo, H-P, Lite-On
Settled with all defendants
Propet USA, Inc. v. Shugart
Jury Award of $1.3 Million
Panicware Inc v. Mobile Software Tech, et al
Judgement for client
Education
2010
Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army
1996
Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
J.D.
1990
University of Alabama - Huntsville
B.S.E.E.
Speaking Engagements
2022
Patent Invalidation Procedures and Practices: a Comparison between US and JP law
Post-Grant Patent Procedures: IPR and PGR proceedings
2020
The World According to Section 112
Developments in the area of Section 112 compliance and their impact on patent prosecution
2019
Annual IP For the Non-IP Specialist Seminar
IP Enforcement Strategies
2018
Open Source Topics for Patent Practitioners
Open Source Licenses as Defense to Infringement
2010
Artists' Roundtable
Copyright Issues for Artists
Publications
2014
The Spokesman-Review
‘Elf-Man’ download lawsuits target Spokane residents
2012
Copyright Infringement Advisor
Open Wi-Fi Not Negligent
2011
Copyright Infringement Law Blog
Copyright Infringement Advisor
2001
U.S. Patent 6,263,278
Graphically Altering A Pre-Calculated Route
2001
U.S. Patent 6,182,008
Ordering Destinations Along a Route Using a Shortest Line Approximation
1996
Cumberland Law Review
Wrongful Death and Double Jeopardy
Languages
French
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How different does an item have to be from a patented product to not be infringing on the patent?
12 Apr 2018
Q&A
How do I get a release or permission use the space needle in a drawing I done that represents the 12's and seattle.
22 Oct 2016
Q&A
Send a lawyer letter to amazon for its brand infringement and offer me the cost.
20 Oct 2016