John E. Munro

Associate

  • John E. Munro
  • Phone: +1 312 499 6786

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
    Chicago, IL 60603-3433
    USA

John E. Munro practices in the area of intellectual property law, guiding clients with the practical mindset of achieving their business goals. With considerable experience as a trusted counselor and in industry, John is able to offer a broad perspective of portfolio management and guidance through complex intellectual property issues.  John prosecutes patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and assists clients in the acquisition of U.S. and foreign patent rights in diverse technologies such as software, medical devices, electro-mechanical devices, automotive systems and consumer products.  He also assists clients by preparing freedom to operate and patentability opinions as well as assisting clients in the buying, selling and licensing of intellectual property assets.  Additionally, John provides counseling in branding and trademark management including the acquisition and enforcement of trademarks in the U.S. and around the world. 

John further has experience with complex intellectual property litigation involving patent and trademark disputes.  John draws on a diverse set of skills, including technical and business knowledge from his mechanical engineering and business career prior to entering the practice of law.

Prior to entering the practice of law, John worked for a decade in various capacities with an electrical connector manufacturer and at an automotive OEM.  While with the automotive OEM, John assisted in the design and launch of two new model vehicles and was a member of the engineering team located at the automotive assembly plant to deliver customer satisfaction improvement, cost optimization and resolution of critical issues as they arose.

A proud “Triple Illini,” John attended the University of Illinois as an undergraduate earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering, as a graduate student earning his Master’s in Business Administration, and again for law school.

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

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