Cecil E. Key

Cecil E. Key is a seasoned patent litigator with over 25 years of experience, serving as the founder and Managing Member of Key Kesan Dallmann, PLLC. His practice primarily focuses on representing plaintiffs in intellectual property disputes, with all five tracked appearances on the plaintiff side. Key's firm emphasizes protecting and monetizing innovations through patent and trademark litigation in federal courts and agencies.

Key's expertise spans a range of technology areas, including software, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (particularly convolutional neural networks), and computer networks. The firm's broader experience also encompasses electronic and computer arts, wireless communications, semiconductors, microprocessors, imaging technologies, databases, and search engines, reflecting a diverse technical proficiency.

He is actively involved in notable patent infringement cases, serving as lead counsel for Skysong Innovations, LLC—the technology transfer organization for Arizona State University—in disputes against CrowdStrike, Inc. and Fortinet, Inc. These cases involve patents related to cybersecurity, data-driven threat mitigation, and AI. Key and his firm also possess significant experience in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), where he represents patent owners like Skysong Innovations.

Mr. Key earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1996. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Virginia, as well as before the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the First, Fourth, and Federal Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Columbia.