Christopher Smith is a distinguished intellectual property attorney specializing in patent litigation, IP counseling, licensing, and patent and trademark prosecution, with extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies and startups across diverse industries.
Christopher Smith is a highly regarded intellectual property attorney, recognized for his work in IP litigation, especially in patent litigation. His practice encompasses patent and trademark prosecution and the preparation of complex invalidity and infringement opinions. In 2024, Chris was honored with the prestigious Law360 MVP Award, an accolade awarded to only six IP attorneys nationwide, highlighting his exceptional influence and impact within the IP law community.
Chris is a registered patent attorney authorized to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups, leveraging a comprehensive understanding of industries including automotive (notably infotainment), medical devices, internet technologies (such as content delivery networks), and telecommunications (including fiber optics).
Chris’s background in patent prosecution deepens his litigation acumen, enabling him to analyze patent file histories with precision, which is invaluable in shaping claim construction and invalidity arguments. His litigation success is rooted in both his technical expertise and extensive experience with trial teams, previously honed during his time at Kirkland and Ellis in Los Angeles. Chris is an active speaker at a number of major IP conferences, frequently sharing his insights on emerging issues in intellectual property law, offering valuable perspectives on cutting-edge topics and best practices.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from UCLA. His early judicial externship with the Honorable R. Gary Klausner in the Central District of California offered him a unique perspective on federal judiciary processes, which continues to inform his strategic approach in litigation.
Outside the courtroom, Chris is dedicated to family and leisure pursuits, enjoying fishing, swimming with his kids, bowling, historical autograph collecting and working on his golf game.
Representative District Court/ITC Matters
FMReps Consulting Enterprises, LLC v. Ford Motor Company (U.S. District Court): Served as litigation counsel for Ford Motor Company in a patent infringement lawsuit alleging that Ford’s software supporting its certified pre-owned vehicle program infringed two patents directed to a computerized certification process. Under Brooks Kushman’s direction, Ford moved to dismiss at the pleading stage, arguing the asserted patents were invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 101. The court agreed, holding the patents were directed to an unpatentable abstract business idea and relied on routine computer functions such as dashboards, real-time data displays, role-based access, and tabbed interfaces to automate a longstanding process. The court dismissed all claims before discovery, expert reports, or trial, delivering an early and complete victory for Ford.
Safe Driving Technologies, LLC v. Ford Motor Company (Patent Trial and Appeal Board): Led the team who served as Ford Motor Company’s litigation and Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) counsel, recently defended Ford in a patent infringement case filed by Safe Driving Technologies, LLC, which alleged Ford infringed four patents related to telematic safety features. Under Brooks Kushman’s direction, Ford filed Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) against the four asserted patents. The PTAB ultimately held 43 claims unpatentable, with the plaintiff dedicating an additional 10 claims to the public. Brooks Kushman also represented Ford in the appeal, in which Chris successfully argued for an affirmance of the PTAB’s decisions. Case No. 1:21-cv-00064
Versata Software v. Ford Motor Company (E.D. Michigan and E.D. Texas): Brooks Kushman served as lead counsel for Ford in lawsuits involving over 30 alleged trade secrets, 16 patents, 5 copyrights and 3 breach of contract claims relating to complex enterprise software for product configuration. Versata originally sought over $1.4 Billion in damages from Ford. After more than 8 years of litigation in federal courts in Michigan and Texas, more than 20 IPRs/CBMRs, over 60 depositions, over 1000 docket entries including multiple rounds of claim construction, summary judgment and Daubert challenges, and a three-week jury trial, our team held Versata to just $3 in nominal damages. Case No. 2:15-cv-10628.
Kar Enterprises v. Ford Motor Company (Settlement – D. Massachusetts): Counsel for defendant Ford Motor Company in patent infringement lawsuit involving speed limiting system for a vehicle. Chris was involved in all facets of the case including claim construction, inventor depositions and preparation of expert reports. The case concluded in a favorable settlement for Ford. Case No. 4:11-cv-11200
Omega Patents, LLC v. General Motors LLC et al. (Settlement – N.D. Georgia): Counsel for defendants General Motors and Onstar in a patent infringement lawsuit involving vehicle remote systems. The case concluded in a favorable settlement for defendants. Case No. 1:12-cv-01192
Omega Patents, LLC v. Lear Corp. (Settlement – M.D. Florida): Counsel for defendant Lear Corporation in patent infringement lawsuit involving vehicle remote start technology. The case concluded in a favorable settlement. Case No. 6:07-CV-1422
Mallinckrodt, Inc. et al. v. E-Z-EM, Inc. (E.D. Texas): Counsel for plaintiffs Mallinckrodt, Inc. and Libel-Flarsheim Company in a patent infringement lawsuit involving contrast injector systems for CT scans and MRIs. Case No. 2:07-cv-00262
Rembrandt Data Techs., LP v. DirecTV, Inc. et al. (Summary Judgment – E.D. Virginia): Counsel for defendant DirecTV in a patent infringement lawsuit involving modems used in satellite TVboxes. Summary judgment was granted in favor of DirecTV. Case No. 1:08-cv-01009
Level 3 Comms., LLC v. Limelight Networks, Inc. (Jury Trial – E.D. Virginia): Counsel for defendant Limelight Networks in patent infringement lawsuit involving content delivery networks. Chris was an integral member of the trial team that obtained a jury verdict of non-infringement for defendant Limelight Networks. The jury verdict was affirmed on appeal. Case No. 2:07-cv-00589
Akamai Techs., Inc. et al. v. Limelight Networks, Inc. (D. Massachusetts): Counsel for defendant Limelight Networks in patent infringement lawsuit involving content delivery networks. Chris was an integral member of trial team for defendant Limelight Networks. Chris worked on all facets of the case including discovery, trial and the preparation of post-trial briefing, which included preparation of a motion for reconsideration that was granted and resulted in overturning the jury verdict to find no infringement by Limelight. Case No. 1:06-cv-11109
Foremost In Packaging Sys. v. Cold Chain Techs. (Summary Judgment – C.D. California): Counsel for defendant Cold Chain Technologies in a patent infringement lawsuit involving transportation coolers for pharmaceuticals. Chris was an integral part of team that prepared successful motions for summary judgment in favor of Cold Chain Technologies. Case No. 8:05-cv-00024; 2:06-cv-01156
Education
J.D., UCLA School of Law
B.S.E., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Alpha Sigma Mu Honors Society
Organizations & Affiliations
Michigan Inn of Courts – Master
State Bar of California
State Bar of Michigan
Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, President 2021-2022
Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Association, Vice Chair of Licensing and Related Issues, Patent Licensing Committee 2018-Present
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan Chapter
Recognitions
“Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers, 2026
“The Best Lawyers in America,” Best Lawyers, 2026-2027
“IP Star,” Managing Intellectual Property, 2022, 2025
“Intellectual Property MVP,” Law360, 2024
“Legal Lions of the Week,” Law 360, 2023
“Rising Star,” Super Lawyers, 2012-2019
Presentations
Co-Presenter, “Critical IP Litigation Lessons for In-House Legal and Innovation Leaders 2025 Year in Review,” BK Hosted Webinar, January 2026
Presenter, “Patent Litigation Insights,” University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) in Innovation & IP Strategy, December 2025
Panelist, “Patents Panel,” New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) IP Transactions Bootcamp, October 2025
Panelist, “Trade Secrets Symposium 2024: Navigating the Law of Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants,” New York City Bar, December 2024
Panelist, “Assessing Licensing Terms and Rates Considering Comparability”, Intellectual Property Owners Association 49th Annual Meeting, September 2024
Panelist, “Protecting Your Client’s IP”, Corporate Counsel University, ACC, June 2024
Panelist, “Identifying and Avoiding Obstacles While Preparing Supplier Agreements,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 48th Annual Meeting, September 2020
Co-presenter, “Year In Review: 2019 Intellectual Property Litigation,” BK Webinar, February 2020
Presenter, “Making It Happen: Strategies for Cross-Industry Success,“ IAM Patent Licensing Event, October 2019
Presenter, “Dawn of a New Era: Licensing and Standards in the Coming Age of 5G,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 47th Annual Meeting, September 2019
Moderator, “All Bark, No Bite: An Analysis of IP Contractual Terms That Are Unenforceable or Result in Unintended Consequences,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 45th Annual Meeting, September 2017
Presenter, “Licensing Strategies with an Eye Towards Litigation,” Intellectual Property Owners IP Licensing Committee, March 2016
Speaker, “Intellectual Property Law and Patent Litigation,” University of Michigan – Michigan Materials Society, April 2014
Speaker, “I.P. Law 101” presented at the University of Michigan Materials Science Department Luncheon, March 2013
Speaker, “Patent 101: What Every Inventor Should Know,” ASM International Emerging Professionals Committee Webinar, June 2011
Publications
Author, “Determining Royalty Damages in Patent Litigation,” LexisNexis Practical Guidance, April 2025
Feature, “Law360 MVP Awards Go To Top Attys From 74 Firms,” Law360, October 2024
Co-Author, “License to Compete: Navigating the New Landscape of Intellectual Property in the Wake of the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban,” Brooks Kushman Trending IP Blog, May 2024
Co-Author, “Director Vidal Issues Favorable Ruling in Ford IPR,” Brooks Kushman Client Alerts, March 2024
Co-Author, “Court Enters Final Judgement for $3 in Versata Software, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company,” Brooks Kushman Client Alerts, November 2023
Co-Author, “Dawn of a New Era: Licensing and Standards in the Coming Age of 5G,” The Licensing Journal, March 2020
Author, “A Spoonful of Licensing Helps the Medicine Go Down: Avoiding Standing Problems Between Related Entities in Patent Cases,” Association of Corporate Counsel, May 2015
Author, “Patent Law: A Career Alternative or an Engineering Tool,” ASM News, March 2011
Author, “The Submarine Defense System Misfires: Patent Prosecution Laches After Symbol Technologies,” 40 Gonz. L. Rev. 236 (2004/2005)