Dennis James Butler

Dennis J. Butler is a Partner at Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP, focusing his practice on federal intellectual property litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants, including patent infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and trademark infringement. His technical expertise is concentrated in mechanical technologies, such as medical devices, polymer systems and materials, industrial equipment, automotive and agricultural equipment, supply chain technologies, structural composite assemblies, orthopedic devices, consumer goods, and electro/mechanical devices. He has also handled cases involving cellular telephones, electronic monitoring systems, smart phone technologies, electrical equipment, medical testing equipment, sporting goods, construction equipment, firearm accessories, software, business methods, and banking processes.

Mr. Butler represents clients in U.S. District Courts, particularly the District of Delaware and District Courts of Pennsylvania. He demonstrates an balanced approach to litigation, having appeared equally for plaintiffs and defendants in tracked cases. Notably, he successfully defended a motion to disqualify his firm in a patent infringement case concerning children's bed rails, allowing the firm to continue representing the patent owner, Regalo International LLC, against Munchkin Inc. He has been recognized in the IAM Patent 1000 for his work in patent law.

Beyond litigation, Mr. Butler possesses extensive experience in patent procurement and inter partes practice before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs). Prior to joining Panitch Schwarze, he served as patent counsel at Synthes, Inc., and was an associate and patent agent at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. His background also includes engineering roles at Boeing Defense and Space Group and United Technologies – Pratt & Whitney.

He earned his J.D. from Temple University Law and holds an M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and an A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology, all from Pennsylvania State University. He is admitted to the bars of Delaware and Pennsylvania, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and several U.S. District Courts in Pennsylvania and Delaware.