Michael B. Ray is managing director of Sterne Kessler, a position which he has held since 2007. In addition to his executive responsibilities at the firm, Mike continues to practice in the firm’s Electronics Practice Group. From a foundation that includes many years of preparation and prosecution of patent applications, patent analysis and opinions, he provides clients with strategic intellectual property counseling and risk assessment. This includes patent portfolio development, legal opinions, and litigation-related strategy and negotiations. Mike also has many years of experience in patent post-grant proceedings (post-grant review and inter partes review) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and reexamination proceedings before the Central Reexam Unit (CRU) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

With this depth of experience, Mike is a go-to attorney for IP due diligence analyses in conjunction with mergers, acquisitions, and technology licensing. He has also acted as the de facto IP counsel for several leading-edge technology companies, where he developed programs to protect IP assets, assure ownership, and secure freedom to operate. In addition, Mike has counseled numerous emerging companies and helped them adopt IP best practices.

Mike has done significant work in a variety of electrical, computer, and mechanical technologies, with particular passion for medical devices, industrial equipment, and automotive and motorcycle-related technologies.

Mike currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire School of Law where he teaches a Master Class on Patent Office Litigation (i.e., reexamination and post-grant proceedings under the America Invents Act). He previously served as an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law where he taught classes on patent law and practice. He has also lectured on the topic of reducing legal costs.

Mike earned his J.D. from University of New Hampshire School of Law, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property and his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.

  • IAM Patent 1000, “Washington, DC: Recommended – Transactions” (2023 – 2020)
  • IAM Patent 1000, “Washington, DC: Recommended Lawyer – Patent Prosecution and Transactions” (2019 – 2014)
  • Managing IP, “IP Star” (2023 – 2013)
  • Leaders League, “Innovation Technology & IP Rankings – Tier One, Patent Prosecution” (2017)
  • Highly Recommended Lawyer – Patent Prosecution (including reexamination and post-grant proceedings)” (2018 – 2017)

  • J.D., University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of New Hampshire

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

  • University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, Dean’s Advisory Board
  • American Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association

Speaking Engagement

2023 Focus on Pharma

Washington, DC, April 14, 2023 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM PST

Webinar

Managing IP in Times of Crisis

April 8, 2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

2019 Global IP Strategy Conference

Washington, DC, March 15, 2019

Related Resources

From Michael B. Ray

In the News

January 4, 2024

Sterne Kessler Elects Six New Directors in 2024

The Patent Lawyer

Press Release

October 20, 2023

Sterne Kessler Honored as US Post-Grant Firm of the Year at Global IP Awards

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

October 2, 2023

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Marks Firm’s 45th Anniversary

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

July 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler and 14 Directors Earn Top Rankings in Managing IP’s 2023 “IP Stars” Guide

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

June 9, 2023

2023 Chambers Associate Guide Features Enthusiastic Reviews for Sterne Kessler from Associates

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

October 20, 2022

Why Recession and Inflation Won't Change IP Firm Strategy (Much)

Managing IP

In the News

October 7, 2022

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham

Law.com

In the News

October 3, 2022

Sterne Kessler Adds Ex-Lead Patent Judge in DC

Law360

Press Release

September 29, 2022

USPTO Lead Administrative Patent Judge Jennifer Meyer Chagnon Joins Sterne Kessler

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

September 29, 2022

USPTO Lead Administrative Patent Judge Jennifer Meyer Chagnon Joins Sterne Kessler

The Patent Lawyer

Firm Announcements

August 8, 2022

Sterne Kessler Raises Over $34,000 for the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

June 17, 2022

Sterne Kessler Earns "Top Workplace" Recognition From The Washington Post for Ninth Consecutive Year

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

December 30, 2021

Business Leaders Share Their Reflections on an Up-and-Down 2021

Washington Business Journal

Press Release

June 21, 2021

Sterne Kessler Earns "Top Workplace" Recognition From The Washington Post for Eighth Consecutive Year

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

June 14, 2021

Sterne Kessler Recognized as a “Top Tier” Patent Prosecution Firm by The Legal 500

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

May 13, 2021

Four Firms Reveal How They Meet In-House Fee Demands

Managing IP

In the News

March 11, 2021

These Firms Landed The Most PTAB Work In 2020

Law360

In the News

December 21, 2020

How 7 IP Firms Weathered The COVID-19 Pandemic

Law360

In the News

August 31, 2020

These Law Firms Have The Most Diverse Equity Partnerships

Law360

In the News

August 30, 2020

Law360 Diversity Snapshot: How Does Your Firm Measure Up?

Law360

Press Release

August 28, 2020

Sterne Kessler Named Among “Best Places to Work” by the Washington Business Journal for the Eleventh Time

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

In the News

July 24, 2020

Six IP Firms Reveal Post-COVID Management Plans

Managing Intellectual Property

Press Release

June 16, 2020

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox and 15 Directors Earn Top Rankings in IAM Patent 1000

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Press Release

June 15, 2020

Staff and Attorneys Vote Sterne Kessler as a Washington Post “Top Workplace” for Seventh Consecutive Year

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Press Release

May 5, 2020

Sterne Kessler Ranked and 13 Directors Named “IP Stars” by Managing Intellectual Property

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Press Release

April 24, 2020

Sterne Kessler Again Receives Sole Band 1 Chambers Ranking for Patent Prosecution Among D.C. Firms

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Firm Announcements

April 9, 2020

Sterne Kessler Announces the Passing of Named Director Samuel L. Fox

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

In the News

April 4, 2020

IPO Webinar on Managing IP in Times of Crisis

Patent Docs

In the News

September 4, 2019

Law Firm Leaders: Sterne Kessler's Michael Ray

Law360

Press Release

June 12, 2019

Sterne Kessler Prominent Again in Intellectual Asset Management Magazine’s "IAM Patent 1000"

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C

In the News

May 23, 2019

How Some IP Boutiques Are Thriving Amid Patent Law Shifts

Law360

Press Release

May 20, 2019

Sterne Kessler Tops Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Firm Rankings – Eleven Directors Named "IP Stars"

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Press Release

May 17, 2019

Washington Business Journal Names Sterne Kessler a “Best Places to Work” for the Tenth Year

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC

Press Release

October 2, 2018

IP Powerhouse Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

April 15, 2018

IP Boutiques Tick Down As AIA Settles In

Law360

In the News

April 12, 2018

USPTO Chief's Call For New Path On Patents Draws Cheers

Law360

In the News

July 19, 2017

Fed. Circ. Rejects Rehearing For Nixed Call Patent

Law360

In the News

July 17, 2017

Fed. Circ. Backs PTAB Ruling Upholding Prison Phone Patent

Law360

In the News

May 30, 2017

IP Boutiques Right The Ship In Choppy Market

Law360

Bylined Articles

April 4, 2017

The State Of The IP Boutique: Part 2

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Bylined Articles

April 3, 2017

The State Of The IP Boutique: Part 1

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

March 24, 2017

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Named "2017 PTAB Firm of the Year" By Managing Intellectual Property Magazine

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

February 22, 2017

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Publishes 2nd Edition of Patent Office Litigation

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

November 16, 2016

PTAB Shifts 'Midstream,' Puts Unusual End to CBM Review

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

September 13, 2016

The AIA At 5: A New World Of Patent Challenges

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

September 12, 2016

The AIA At 5: New Rules Bring New Patent Filing Strategies

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

July 28, 2016

Sterne Kessler is #1 at the PTAB with 500+ AIA Proceedings

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

June 23, 2016

Frenzy Continues As 7 More Firms Hike Associate Salaries

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

June 17, 2016

Legal 500 Ranks Sterne Kessler Among Best IP Firms in the United States

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

May 13, 2016

6 Lessons BigLaw Can Learn From Boutiques

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

April 14, 2016

Global Tel Link's Inmate Calling Patent Survives AIA Review

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

March 23, 2016

LG Says AMD Misreading Prior Art In Video Patent Fight

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

February 25, 2016

PTAB Finds Patent For Monitoring Prison Gangs Is Obvious

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

February 4, 2016

LG Again Loses Bid For AIA Review Of Display Patent's Claim

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

January 1, 2016

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Announces Election of Four New Directors

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

December 24, 2015

What Will Keep Firm Leaders Up At Night In 2016

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

July 1, 2015

Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top Firms and Directors Recognized as "IP Stars" by Managing Intellectual Property

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

June 1, 2015

Sterne Kessler Named to National Law Journal's 2015 "IP Hot List"

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

February 10, 2015

Docket Navigator Year in Review 2014

Docket Navigator Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

February 4, 2015

Veeam Invalidates Symantec’s Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

November 19, 2014

PTAB Rejects L-3 AIA Reviews For Failure To Show Prior Art

Law360 Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

June 5, 2014

Ten Sterne Kessler Directors Named IP Stars By Managing Intellectual Property Magazine

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

June 5, 2014

Sterne Kessler Directors Named to IAM 1000 By Intellectual Asset Management Magazine

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

Press Release

June 3, 2014

Sterne Kessler Named to the 2014 "NLJ 350"

Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray

In the News

April 21, 2014

Changes to patent law bring new business for D.C. Intellectual Property firm

The Washington Post Jorge A. Goldstein, Ph.D., Michael B. Ray