Headquartered within steps of the USPTO with an affiliate office in Tokyo, Oblon is one of the largest law firms in the United States focused exclusively on intellectual property law.
1968
Norman Oblon with Stanley Fisher and Marvin Spivak launched what was to become Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, LLP, one of the nation's leading full-service intellectual property law firms.
Outside the US, we service companies based in Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and farther corners of the world. Our culturally aware attorneys speak many languages, including Japanese, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese.
Oblon's professionals provide industry-leading IP legal services to many of the world's most admired innovators and brands.
From the minute you walk through our doors, you'll become a valuable part of a team that fosters a culture of innovation, client service and collegiality.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued final rules implementing the inventor's oath or declaration provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA) on August 14, 2012.
April 28-30, 2024
November 16, 2023 - In-Person in Munich
October 27, 2023
John S. Kern is a partner in the firm's Electrical/Mechanical Practice Group. With a strong foundation in engineering and technology, Mr. Kern brings a unique skill set and perspective to his practice that encompasses all aspects of patent law including, patent prosecution, litigation, and post-grant review proceedings. Mr. Kern is a skilled appellate practitioner, having decades of experience before the USPTO Patent Trial & Appeal Board and its predecessor, the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. He has actively handled and advised on numerous inter-partes review (IPR) proceedings for his clients. Throughout his career, Mr. Kern has regularly drafted and prosecuted patent applications before the USPTO, as well as represented clients in reexamination matters. Additionally, Mr. Kern has successfully represented numerous clients in litigation before various district courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
A former electrical engineer, Mr. Kern has worked in diversified technologies throughout his legal career in the electrical, mechanical and software arts, including semiconductor devices, communication networks, video coding/compression, medical devices, automotive technologies, display devices, printers, microlithography, nanotechnology, and analog/digital circuit design. He has counseled both small and large multinational corporations in designing and bringing new products to market. Some of Mr. Kern’s clients include leading semiconductor, telecommunications, and information technology companies.
Mr. Kern’s diverse intellectual property practice also includes considerable experience in preparing infringement and validity opinions, drafting claims to cover industry standards, and patent pool evaluation and administration.