Michael V. Young, Sr.

Michael’s recent representations have included matters involving sensor-based technologies, robotics, wireless tracking, supply chain management and logistics, telecommunications, Internet of Things (IoT), financial technology (FinTech), and crypto assets. He is particularly experienced in helping early-stage companies navigate the complexities of IP protection and enforcement in fast-evolving digital markets.

Michael is a first-chair litigator who has handled every phase of district court proceedings—from complaint through trial—crafting and executing strategies for both plaintiffs/patent owners and defendants/accused infringers. His approach integrates deep technical insight with comprehensive litigation experience, beginning at pre-filing investigations and through trial verdict.

Michael has immense experience with post-grant proceedings, serving as lead or backup counsel in more than 70 PTAB proceedings across inter partes review (IPR), covered business methods (CBM), and post grant review (PGR) matters that have often involved matters of first impression. Coupled with his litigation experience, Michael has particular insight into the interplay between parallel district court and post-grant review proceedings, a topic on which he writes and speaks.

Michael maintains an active prosecution practice. Over his career, he has led the preparation and oversight of more than a thousand patent applications and strategically guided their development and prosecution. He has built and managed large-scale domestic and international patent portfolios, spanning technologies from FinTech and sensor-based tracking systems to lenticular airship designs. With deep experience in securing patent protection for software innovations, particularly in the FinTech space, both before and after Alice, Michael offers nuanced insight into patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101 and helps clients align their IP strategies with evolving legal standards.

Prior to joining Finnegan, Michael worked in integrated circuit (IC) design and developed testing software for modems, printers, cash acceptance systems, and other components of automated teller machines (ATMs).