J. Michael Jakes
Partner
Mike Jakes concentrates his practice on patent litigation and related counseling. He serves as lead counsel in federal district courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), before arbitration panels, and on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mike deals mainly with computer, electronics, semiconductor, software, and medical device technologies.
Experience
Sprint Commc’ns Co., L.P. v. Time Warner Cable, Inc.
17-2247, Fed. Cir., Judges Bryson, Chen, Mayer
PPC Broadband, Inc. v. Corning Optical Communications
17-1347, Fed. Cir., Judges Prost, Mayer, Reyna
Paradox Security Systems, Ltd. v. ADT Security Services, Inc.
2:06-cv-00462, E.D. Tex., Judge Ward
10-1012, Fed. Cir., Judges Bryson, Newman, Schall
PPC Broadband v. Corning Optical Communications
15-1361, -1366, -1368, -1369; 15-1364, Fed. Cir., Judges Moore, O’Malley, Wallach
As lead counsel, argued for the petitioners in landmark case on patentability of business method patent, resulting in a ruling that business methods are not per se patent ineligible.
08-964, S. Ct., Judges Alito, Breyer, Ginsburg, Kennedy, Roberts, Scalia, Souter, Stevens, Thomas
Certain Video Game Machines and Related Three-Dimensional Pointing Devices
Represented complainant Hillcrest Laboratories against Nintendo's Wii video game system for infringement of Hillcrest's fundamental patents on 3D pointing technology; settled favorably after full evidentiary hearing but before ALJ's initial determination.
337-TA-658, ITC, Judge Luckern
Insights
Podcasts
That IP Podcast: Mike Jakes Reflects on His 37-Year Career in IP
December 9, 2025
That IP Podcast
Federal Circuit IP Blog
Podcast Series: Last Month at the Federal Circuit - June 2021
June 30, 2021
Seminar
IP Master Class: Strategies for Federal Circuit, District Court, ITC, and PTAB
April 16, 2021
Virtual
Podcasts
February 2021 - Last Month at the Federal Circuit Podcast Series
February 24, 2021
Professional Recognition
"Jakes is an eminent litigator and appellate lawyer, having argued more than 50 appeals during his career. He was recently successful in defending [a] manufacturing company against three IPRs raised by one of its main competitors."
“Providing exceptional leadership to a celebrated appellate practice, meanwhile, are Michael Jakes and former Federal Circuit clerk Doris Johnson Hines.”
“Rich appeals experience can also be found on the résumé of ‘fabulous lawyer’ Michael Jakes, whom many now regard as the face of the practice… the twists and turns of such multifaceted battles never faze this steadfast representative.”
“Michael Jakes [is] a ‘terrific lawyer who quietly and excellently does what he needs to do.’”
“The appellate group has similarly impeccable credentials… ‘true gentleman’ Michael Jakes— ‘a first-rate, thorough and thoughtful legal scholar’—also stands out.”
“Finnegan is also busy on all contentious fronts. Its market-leading appellate practice is an ace up its sleeve, with Donald Dunner, Michael Jakes and Charles Lipsey all considered deans of the appellate bar.”
“Michael Jakes has vast experience before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but also as a trial lawyer in the district courts and ITC.”
“Litigator Michael Jakes works across the gamut of medical device technologies including external defibrillators, cochlear implants, stents, and hip replacements.”
News
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in 2026 IAM Patent 1000 Guide; Nearly 60 Attorneys Ranked
May 28, 2026
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)Award/Ranking
IAM Recognizes Six Finnegan Partners in its 2026 Global Leaders Guide
October 22, 2025
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)Press Release
Finnegan Recognized as a Leading Firm in the 2025 LMG Life Sciences Americas Rankings
October 1, 2025
LMG Life SciencesAward/Ranking
Four Finnegan Partners Recognized in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America Guide
September 5, 2025
The Lawdragon 500: Leading Litigators in AmericaAward/Ranking
August 21, 2025
Best LawyersProfessional Activities
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
(Amicus Committee, 1997-2001; 2005-2009; Special Committee on Patent Jury Trials, 1995-1997; chair, Awards Committee, 1992-1994; National Director, Giles S. Rich Moot Court Competition, 1989-1991) - American Bar Association (ABA), Intellectual Property Law Section
(Amicus Briefs Committee, 2009-present; chair, Amicus Briefs Committee, 1995-1998) - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
(Advisory Council, 2008-2012) - Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
(Amicus Committee, 2011-2023) - Giles S. Rich American Inn of Court
- American Bar Foundation (ABF)
(Fellow)
Admissions
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. District Court, E.D. Virginia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center
-
J.D.,
magna cum laude, 1986
- Johns Hopkins University
- M.S., Computer Science, 1983
- Duke University
- B.S., Electrical Engineering, summa cum laude, with distinction, 1979
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, Hon. Giles Rich
Mike's Practices
- Appeals, Issues, and Legal Strategy
- Appeals from the PTAB
- Federal Circuit and Supreme Court Appeals
- Global IP Enforcement, Litigation, and Trials
- Arbitration and Other ADR
- Federal Circuit and Supreme Court Appeals
- ITC Section 337 Investigations and Trials
- Patent Litigation and Trials
- Patent Office Invalidation Proceedings
- PTAB Invalidation Proceedings: IPR and PGR
Mike's Industries
- AI, Electronics, and Information Technology
- Electrical and Computer Technology
- Electronic Devices and Components
- Life Sciences
- Medical Device and Diagnostics