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Peter Zura is a Partner in the Firm’s Intellectual Property practice who specializes in patent portfolio development and enforcement. He prepares, prosecutes and secures patent protection for his clients’ innovations, and provides strategic intellectual property counseling including advice on patent infringement, validity, and large portfolio due diligence studies, whether for acquisitions, licensing, or pre-suit purposes. He achieves optimum results by partnering with his clients to devise and execute customized legal strategies that are consistent with his clients' strategic business objectives. Mr. Zura is also active in litigation, and assists clients in courts throughout the country, including Section 337 proceedings before the United States International Trade Commission.

Mr. Zura previously served as a patent examiner in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he analyzed and examined a broad array of applications relating to electrical transmission and interconnection systems. Prior to his legal career, he worked for seven years as an electrical engineer at General Dynamics Land Systems Division, designing and testing advanced armored combat vehicles. Mr. Zura has experience with a wide variety of technologies, including: telecommunication and wireless networks, (Wi-Fi, WiMAX, GSM), computer networks, computer memory design and packaging, power conversion and protection circuitry, audience measurement technologies, medical devices, integrated circuit design and manufacture, and 3D graphics, among others.

Mr. Zura is a frequent author on issues relating to patent law, and enjoys speaking and moderating events directed to the legal and business community.

His publications include:

* “Looking for Fire Amidst the Smoke—Is the Federal Circuit Really Exceeding its Appellate Authority in Patent Infringement Cases?” 12 U. Balt. Intell. Prop. L.J. 1 (2003); cited to US Supreme Court on petition for certiorari, Merck & Co. Inc. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (No. 05-236); and
* “Protecting Your Technology and Business in a RFID World Facing an Uncertain IP Future,” Digital RFID Magazine, March/April 2006.

His presentations include:

* 1st Annual Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property Symposium, IP Litigation in the 21st Century, Speaker Panel, Chicago, Illinois, February 2006; and
* "Software and Business Method Patents: Helping or Hindering Innovation?" Northwestern University Law School IP Society Speaker Panel, Chicago, Illinois, February 2006.


His press mentions include:

* John Letzing, “Microsoft, Google Mine for Ideas in Their Own Way,” Dow Jones Market Watch, Feb. 16, 2007 (quoted on waiver clause for Imagine Cup™ entrants);
* Xenia P. Kobylarz, “TiVo Ruling Suggests Shift in Patent Cases,” the Recorder (reprinted in Law.com), Sept. 1, 2006 (quoted on inter-partes reexamination procedures);
* Andrew Brandt, “Patent Overload Hampers Tech Innovation,” PC World, Feb. 27, 2006 (quoted on patent reform measures taken at the USPTO);
* Bruce V. Bigelow, “Patent Office Rule Changes Stir 'Outrage',” Jan. 25, 2006 (quoted on proposed rule changes by USPTO for eliminating continuation applications); and
* Adena Schutzberg, “Will Patent Threat Bust Real Estate Boom in Geospatial?” Directions Magazine, Nov. 25, 2005 (quoted on patent litigation asserted against the Real Estate Industry).

Mr. Zura received his Bachelor of Science from Oakland University in 1990, his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in 1997 and his LL.M. from George Washington University Law School in 2002. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.