John E. Munro

Associate

Phone: +1 312 499 6786
Duane Morris LLP
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
Chicago, IL 60603-3433
USA

John E. Munro leverages his extensive experience across multiple intellectual property disciplines to provide practical advice for the protection of a company’s most valuable assets, its knowledge and ideas. With over a decade of experience in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and litigation, John delivers tailored guidance to achieve his clients’ business goals. John draws on a diverse set of skills, including technical and business knowledge from his mechanical engineering and business background.

Prior to entering the practice of law, John worked in various capacities with an electrical connector manufacturer and at an automotive OEM. John’s background allows him to achieve superior results when obtaining patents and trademark registrations at the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as through the intellectual property offices of countries worldwide. His extensive experience also includes successfully resolving intellectual disputes in the courtroom and through mediation. John prides himself in distilling complex intellectual property issues into actionable decisions for his clients.

A proud “Triple Illini,” John earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, his Master’s in Business Administration, and his law degree, all from the University of Illinois.

Areas of Practice

Intellectual Property Law
Patents
Trademarks
Licensing

Admissions

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Illinois
Michigan

Education

University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2010
University of Illinois College of Business, M.B.A., with honors, 2000
University of Illinois, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1995

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Associate, 2019-present
Harness, Dickey and Pierce PLC
- Associate, 2017-2019
Vedder Price PC
- Associate, 2010-2017
Ford Motor Company
- Systems Engineer, 2000-2007
MacLean Power Systems
- Engineer, 1996-1998

Honors and Awards

Named to Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," 2024 and 2025

Selected Publications

Co-author, "Supreme Court Leaves Discovery Rule Intact for Copyright Infringement Claims," Duane Morris Alert, May 23, 2024
Co-author, "Supreme Court Opens a Door for Copyright Infringement Damages – But Will It Be Closed in the Future?" Duane Morris Alert, May 16, 2024
Co-author, "Common Law Goliath Wins Humiliating Trademark Battle Against Senior Registered Owner - the Battle of the Condiments," The Trademark Lawyer, Issue 5 2021
Co-author, "The New Gold Rush to the Trademark Office," The Trademark Lawyer 2021 Annual, December 2020
Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Revisit Decision Upholding Design Patent Validity for Automotive Repair Parts," Duane Morris Transportation, Automotive and Logistics Blog, April 13, 2020
Co-author, "Is Your Trademark Case Exceptional? Seventh Circuit Extends Octane Standard to the Lanham Act," Duane Morris Alert, November 11, 2019

Selected Speaking Engagements

Speaker, "Patent Fundamentals Bootcamp 2023: An Introduction to Patent Drafting, Prosecution, and Litigation," Practising Law Institute, September 12, 2023
Clinician, "Clinic II: Patent Amendment Writing, PLI Patent Fundamentals Bootcamp 2022: An Introduction to Patent Drafting, Prosecution, and Litigation," September 14, 2022
Speaker, "Design Patents: Overview and Case Studies," CLE, Webinar, August 30, 2021
Clinician, "An Introduction to Patent Drafting, Prosecution, and Litigation," Patent Fundamentals Bootcamp 2021, June 2-4, 2021
Clinician, "Patent Fundamentals Bootcamp 2020: An Introduction to Patent Drafting, Prosecution, and Litigation," Practising Law Institute Webinar, June 2-4, 2020
Speaker, "U.S. Design Patents: Overview and Interesting Developments," Internal CLE
Speaker, "Intellectual Property and Digital Legal Training Day," LEGI Team, Paris, France, December 10, 2019