John D. Zele is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Intellectual Property Practice. Mr. Zele focuses his practice on patent and technology issues. He has experience in a broad range of legal matters involving U.S. patents, from patent litigation to counseling and licensing.

Mr. Zele has developed patent law and technical strategies for several patent litigations and has led teams in implementing those strategies before U.S. District Courts and the International Trade Commission. In 2006, juries awarded clients in excess of $103 million in damages based on patent infringement strategies developed by Mr. Zele.

Mr. Zele also has experience in counseling, patent licensing, and due diligence matters. He has represented both large and small companies in a variety of licensing transactions, acquisitions, divestments, and in obtaining funding. Mr. Zele also has a significant background in patent procurement and appeals before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Mr. Zele, a former patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, has an extensive background in semiconductor, optical communications and systems, computer technologies, and medical devices, as well as other electrical and mechanical arts.

Mr. Zele is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Virginia and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.