Jason A. Fitzsimmons is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Mechanical & Design Practice Group and a Co-Chair of the firm’s PTAB Practice. Jason specializes in conducting complex post-grant proceedings at the USPTO and has a keen understanding of their interplay with district court proceedings. He also helps clients obtain patent protection for cutting edge technologies and provides opinions of counsel.

Jason was named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America” (2024) by Best Lawyers and selected to the Washington D.C. “Rising Stars” list in Intellectual Property (2022 – 2018) by Super Lawyers. In 2023, Patexia ranked Jason in the Top 50 Best Performing PTAB Attorneys Overall (representing Petitioners or Patent Owners) and in the Top 50 Best Performing PTAB Attorneys Representing Patent Owners based on PTAB data over a five-year period.

Jason is well-versed with every stage of inter partes reviews (IPRs)—from pre-institution strategies through argument at oral hearing. He understands the challenges faced by both patent owners and petitioners and has unique experience managing and developing strategies for complex, multi-patent proceedings. Jason is a contributing author of the firm’s renowned Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017, which provides a comprehensive exploration of patent office litigation proceedings, including how the proceedings interact with other aspects of patent procurement and enforcement. Jason also served as a Co-Editor of Sterne Kessler’s “2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends” report, which synthesizes key events and decisions that occurred at the PTAB and provides detailed analysis to serve as a helpful reference for those who practice before or adjacent to the PTAB.

Jason also has broad experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications and preparing infringement, validity, and patentability opinions. He is a trusted strategic advisor to clients. Jason’s primary areas of technical experience include: sporting goods, clean energy technologies, automotive systems, medical devices, physiological sensors, communications systems, consumer electronics, industrial equipment, apparel, optical devices, and image collection and processing.

Additionally, Jason is a member of Sterne Kessler’s Recruiting Committee and he co-leads the firm’s engagement in the PTAB’s Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP), which provides associates with training and development opportunities in PTAB proceedings, including oral argument. He has served as an advisor to associates participating in the program.

At The George Washington University Law School, Jason was the student editor-in-chief of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Quarterly Journal, a member of the Moot Court Board Executive Committee, and vice president of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA).

Prior to law school, Jason gained valuable industry experience as an engineer for a defense contractor. He managed the development of innovative, lightweight armor solutions for combat vehicles and oversaw ballistic testing. Additionally, he helped design a system for remote detection of nuclear materials by overcoming natural phenomena such as particle scattering and temporal detection delays.

Jason earned his B.S. in physics-engineering, magna cum laude, from Washington & Lee University.

Technical Publications

  • Jeffrey K. Mills, Jason A. Fitzsimmons, and Kevin Rodkey, “Protecting Nanotechnology Inventions: Prosecuting in an Unpredictable World,” 7 Nanotechnology L. & Bus. 223 (2010).

  • Best Lawyers, “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America” (2024)
  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Representing Petitioners – PTAB (Top 50)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Overall – PTAB (Top 50)” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – PTAB” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Overall – PTAB” (2023)
  • Patexia, “100 Most Active Attorneys Representing Petitioners – Inter Partes Review” (2022)
  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Representing Petitioners – Inter Partes Review (Top 50)” (2022)
  • Super Lawyers, “Rising Star – Washington DC” (2022 – 2018)

  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School
  • B.S., Physics-Engineering, Washington & Lee University, magna cum laude

  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office
  • Virginia

  • PTAB Bar Association
  • Association of the United States Army

Webinar

2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Virtual, February 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Webinar

Developments in IPR Estoppel

Virtual, December 5, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Webinar

PTAB Analysis, Trends, and Forecast: Fintiv and Discretionary Denials

VIRTUAL, March 21, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST

Webinar

Careers in IP & Tech Panel

Virtual, November 15, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST

Webinar

Webinar: Depositions in PTAB Proceedings

Webinar, November 16, 2017

Related Resources

From Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Press Release

February 29, 2024

Directors Bemben and Fitzsimmons Join Co-Chairs of Sterne Kessler’s Award-Winning PTAB Practice

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Bylined Articles

February 26, 2024

PTAB Spotlight Series with Jason Eisenberg

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Bylined Articles

February 8, 2024

Watch Your Step – Discretionary Denial Under 325(d) Is Alive and Kicking

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Press Release

February 8, 2024

Award-Winning PTAB Team Publishes 2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Webinar Recordings & Materials

February 7, 2024

2023 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Webinar Recordings & Materials

December 5, 2023

Developments in IPR Estoppel

Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Bylined Articles

December 5, 2023

PTAB Spotlight Series with Jason Fitzsimmons

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Press Release

November 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Notches Multiple Rankings in 2024 “Best Law Firms” List

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Press Release

September 18, 2023

Sterne Kessler Achieves Top Litigation Rankings in Patexia’s 2023 PTAB Intelligence Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Firm Announcements

September 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Helps Secure Denial of IPR Against Patent for Optimizing Media Content Playback

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Firm Announcements

September 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Helps Secure Denial of Two IPRs for Patent Owner Polaris PowerLED

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Press Release

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers Ranks 11 Sterne Kessler Attorneys in The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2024 Editions

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

In the News

August 9, 2023

Fed. Circ. Shoots Down WeatherTech Rehearing Bid

Law360 Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

News

June 6, 2023

WeatherTech Product Success Not Enough to Beat Patent Challenge

Bloomberg Law Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Joseph K. Venier

Bylined Articles

May 3, 2023

Beware of Collateral Estoppel at the PTAB

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Ivy Attenborough, Jason A. Fitzsimmons

PTAB Strategies and Insights

May 2, 2023

PTAB Strategies and Insights Newsletter - May 2023

Multiple Authors

In the News

November 10, 2022

Patexia Insight 158: Top IPR Firms of 2022

Patexia Multiple Authors

Press Release

October 11, 2022

Sterne Kessler Notches Top Rankings in 2022 IPR Intelligence Report Based on PTAB Case Volume and Results

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

In the News

October 5, 2022

PTAB Rejects Dell’s Challenges to 3 Video Tech Patents

Law360 Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 21, 2022

PTAB Reform Act of 2022’s Potential Impact on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board

Westlaw Today Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

Firm Announcements

June 9, 2022

Sterne Kessler and D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Host Sixth Annual Small Business Clinic

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

Press Release

May 1, 2022

Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Attorneys as 2022 “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars”

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

In the News

April 28, 2022

Patent Tribunal Judges Urge Firms to Send Women, Diverse Lawyers

Bloomberg Law Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

In the News

April 1, 2022

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham

Law.com Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

Webinar Recordings & Materials

March 21, 2022

PTAB Analysis, Trends, and Forecast Webinar: Fintiv and Discretionary Denials

Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

Client Alert

March 7, 2022

IP Hot Topic: 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Ivy Attenborough

Reports

March 7, 2022

2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

March 7, 2022

Discretionary Denial under § 325(d): Strategic Implications of the PTAB’s Advanced Bionic Framework

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, John D. Higgins

Press Release

March 7, 2022

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, John D. Higgins

Press Release

July 26, 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Earns 13 Market-Leading Awards for Excellence in the First Six Months of 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, John D. Higgins

Press Release

April 27, 2021

Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys as 2021 “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars”

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, John D. Higgins

In the News

February 11, 2021

PTAB Programs Spurring More Amendments, Faster Appeals

Law360 Jason A. Fitzsimmons, John D. Higgins

Bylined Articles

July 29, 2020

Inside The PTAB's New Oral Argument Training Program

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

July 24, 2020

PTAB H1 Filing Rankings: Top Petitioners, Owners and Law Firms

Managing Intellectual Property Multiple Authors

Client Alert

July 7, 2020

IP Hot Topic: Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Reports

July 7, 2020

Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 7, 2020

When to Obtain Foreign Filing and Export Licenses

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Tracy-Gene G. Durkin

Press Release

April 30, 2020

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys Named 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Tracy-Gene G. Durkin

Press Release

April 16, 2020

Sterne Kessler Hosts Virtual Pro Bono Clinic for Small Businesses

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Tracy-Gene G. Durkin

Client Alert

March 4, 2020

IP Hot Topic: 2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

February 28, 2020

PTAB Operation Under Phillips: Business as Usual with New Strategic Implications

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Press Release

February 28, 2020

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2019 PTAB Year in Review Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Reports

February 25, 2020

2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

The Goods on IP®

September 11, 2019

The Goods on IP® - September 2019

Daniel A. Gajewski, Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Bylined Articles

September 11, 2019

Amazon Seeks to Strike Balance Between Patent Owners and Merchants

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Jason A. Fitzsimmons

In the News

May 8, 2019

Law360 Names Attys Who Moved Up The Firm Ranks In Q1

Law360 Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Press Release

April 19, 2019

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Press Release

January 3, 2019

Sterne Kessler Elects Six New Directors

Jason A. Fitzsimmons

In the News

August 31, 2018

PTAB Agrees To Review Golf Club Patent Challenges

Law360 Jason A. Fitzsimmons

PTAB Strategies and Insights

August 22, 2018

PTAB Strategies and Insights - August 2018

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

August 22, 2018

Summary of Trial Practice Guide Updates

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Daniel S. Block, Jason A. Fitzsimmons

PTAB Strategies and Insights

July 19, 2018

PTAB Strategies and Insights - July 2018

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 19, 2018

The Board Opines on Where the Line is on Sanctionable Behavior During Deposition

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Richard D. Coller III

Bylined Articles

June 20, 2018

PTAB AIA Proceeding Deposition Strategy

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Richard D. Coller III

PTAB Strategies and Insights

June 14, 2018

PTAB Strategies and Insights - June 2018

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

March 27, 2017

Not Your Normal Depo: Depositions in Patent Office Litigation

Bloomberg Law Jason A. Fitzsimmons, Richard D. Coller III

Books and Chapters

February 17, 2017

Patent Office Litigation - Second Edition 2017

Thomson Reuters Westlaw Multiple Authors

In the News

June 20, 2016

Apple Scores PTAB Victory, Nixes Claims In DSS Tech. Patent

Law360 Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

October 29, 2014

Inter Partes Review: Which Way Out?

Westlaw Journal: Intellectual Property Jason A. Fitzsimmons

Books and Chapters

January 1, 2012

Patent Office Litigation

Thomson Reuters Westlaw Multiple Authors