Lestin L. Kenton, Jr.

Lestin L. Kenton, Jr. is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group, renowned for his multifaceted expertise in intellectual property law. With a distinguished career spanning post-grant review proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Section 337 Investigations before the U.S. International Trade Commission, infringement and validity opinions, patent portfolio evaluations, and global prosecution strategies, Lestin is a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex IP landscapes.

As a leading PTAB litigator, Lestin has demonstrated unparalleled proficiency in challenging and defending patents before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He has spearheaded numerous inter partes review (IPR), post grant review (PGR) and covered business method review proceedings under the America Invents Act, delivering favorable outcomes for both petitioners and patent owners. Over the last decade, Lestin has been counsel in over 100 PTAB proceedings spanning the electronics, mechanical and life-sciences arts.  In 2023, Patexia ranked Lestin as one of the most active and best performing PTAB attorneys over the five-year period from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2023.  Notably, he was ranked in the top 50 of the Best Performing Attorneys Representing Patent Owners and ranked within the 100 best active and performing attorneys overall during this five-year period. Lestin’s strategic prowess and technical acumen have solidified his reputation as a formidable advocate in high-stakes PTAB disputes across diverse industry sectors.

Lestin is widely recognized as an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), leveraging his comprehensive understanding of AI algorithms, machine learning models, and data privacy laws to counsel tech companies on patenting AI innovations and mitigating legal risks associated with AI development and deployment. His strategic guidance ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks while maximizing the protection of AI-related intellectual property assets.

In the realm of data protection, Lestin is a recognized authority, specializing in the intellectual property protection of data-driven technologies. He assists clients in developing robust strategies for safeguarding data innovations through patents, trade secrets, and contractual arrangements. Lestin’s expertise spans data security best practices and the intricate legal dynamics of data ownership and licensing, ensuring clients’ sensitive information is secure and compliant with relevant laws and regulations.

Lestin has been instrumental in advancing legal education and professional development, leading Sterne Kessler’s PTAB Roundtables since 2014 and serving as an adjunct professor at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School since August 2021, where he imparts invaluable insights on PTO litigation.

Recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field, Lestin was selected by Super Lawyers to the Washington DC “Rising Stars” list in Intellectual Property for 2019 and 2020. He continues to shape the discourse on intellectual property law as a member of Law360’s 2024 IP Editorial Advisory Board and as a contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017 by Thomson Reuters Westlaw.

Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, Lestin honed his technical expertise as a software developer at a defense contractor, specializing in ground-based air surveillance radar. He holds a B.S. in computer science & engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law. Lestin’s unique blend of technical proficiency, legal acumen, and strategic insight positions him as a trusted partner in helping clients navigate the complexities of intellectual property law in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.