Debbie J. McComas

Debbie J. McComas is a highly experienced patent litigator and appellate lawyer at Haynes and Boone, where she serves as a Partner and Chair of the Federal Circuit Practice Group. Her practice focuses heavily on patent appeals, where she is recognized for her strong performance at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, having been ranked third nationally in Patexia's CAFC Intelligence Report. McComas's patent litigation experience spans almost three decades, covering diverse technologies including mobile and wireless devices, video streaming, video compression methods, and network technologies.

McComas primarily defends operating companies and, through her work with Unified Patents LLC, actively challenges patents held by non-practicing entities (NPEs) in post-grant proceedings. Her work on the defendant side is exemplified by her representation of Apple Inc. in SMART MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES LLC v. APPLE INC. before the Federal Circuit, concerning dynamically configurable IP-based wireless devices and networks. While largely focused on defense, she has also represented plaintiffs in patent infringement suits, such as Acufloor against infringing competitors.

She possesses extensive experience in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, regularly handling appeals from PTAB decisions. Notable appellate victories include securing a reversal and remand for Acufloor in a patent infringement suit and several Federal Circuit wins for Unified Patents LLC, upholding PTAB decisions invalidating patents related to video streaming and network technology. She has successfully obtained affirmance of dozens of PTAB Final Written Decisions finding patent claims unpatentable.

McComas earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 1995 and was admitted to legal practice the same year. She was admitted to the Federal Circuit bar in 1998.