George C. Summerfield Jr.

George C. Summerfield Jr. is an experienced intellectual property litigator at K&L Gates, with over 30 years of practice in patent law. His practice encompasses a broad range of technologies, having handled numerous Section 337 cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and a variety of intellectual property matters in federal district courts and on appeal. His firm profile indicates his litigation efforts have "run the technological gamut" across diverse industries.

Mr. Summerfield primarily represents clients in patent disputes, including large corporations and research institutions. While his career has involved representing both complainants before the ITC and defendants in federal court, his recent tracked appearance includes serving as Lead Counsel on the defendant side in Apple, Inc. v. CPC Patent Technologies Pty Ltd.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Summerfield began his career as a Staff Attorney with the Office of Unfair Import Investigations of the U.S. International Trade Commission. He has extensive experience in various forums, including district courts, the ITC, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the European Patent Office. He has also served as amici counsel for numerous universities before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Summerfield has been recognized for his work, including being listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Patent, 2024.

He earned his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 1987 and his B.A. from King's College in 1983. He is admitted to the Bar of Michigan, the U.S. Supreme Court, and several U.S. Courts of Appeals.