Michael R. Malek is counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group where he specializes in developing ideas for patenting, drafting patent applications, and prosecuting patent applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and abroad. He has drafted over 500 patent applications and responded to more than 5,000 communications from the USPTO and abroad. Michael has a versatile practice covering numerous technologies in the electrical and the mechanical arts. His practice spans numerous disciplines from terrestrial and satellite communication systems, including wireless and wireline communications in the electrical arts, to stadium construction and design in the mechanical arts. Michael has significant experience in analog and digital signal processing for communications systems, power management and processing systems for consumer electronic devices, memory devices for computing systems, complex audio and video processing for three-dimensional display devices, artificial intelligence for electronic circuit design and layout, and semiconductor device design, manufacture, and fabrication.

Michael also provides strategic guidance in post grant proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He currently represents both petitioners and patent owners in inter partes review proceedings involving technologies ranging from medical devices to error correction for communication systems. He assists in the mentoring and training of new associates, student associates, patent agents, and technical specialists at Sterne Kessler. Michael was a member of the firm’s Patent Practice Committee helping to ensure Sterne Kessler’s policies and procedures are in compliance with USPTO rules and regulations. He previously led weekly training programs to discuss new decisions from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court as well as other legal issues in an open forum.

Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, Michael worked as a hardware design engineer for a major defense contractor specializing in microwave communications. He concentrated his work in full life cycle product development, from design through manufacture, of microwave communication equipment. He has extensive technical experience in both analog and digital electronic circuit design within the microwave spectrum as well as printed circuit board designing, manufacturing, and packaging within this spectrum.

Michael received his J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, and his B.S. in electrical engineering from The George Washington University.

  • Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars” (2017-2015)

  • J.D., The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, The George Washington University

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

Related Resources

From Michael R. Malek