H. Michael Hartmann

H. Michael Hartmann is a highly experienced patent litigator focusing on complex patent and trade secret disputes, as well as Patent Office representation and the strategic management of intellectual property portfolios. His practice encompasses a wide range of industries and technologies, reflecting his background in chemical engineering. He represents clients across various sectors, including those involved in chemical and medical device technologies, such as fundamental soft contact lens patents, and software/internet-related inventions, as seen in cases involving browser technology.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hartmann has demonstrated experience working for both plaintiffs and defendants in significant patent matters. While he was lead counsel for the plaintiff in Walker Digital, LLC v. Microsoft Corp. et al., he also notably advised Microsoft on the defense side in the protracted Eolas Technologies v. Microsoft litigation, which involved a demand exceeding $1 billion over internet browser technology and resulted in an interference ruling and appellate reversals favorable to Microsoft. His early career also included successfully representing inventor Otto Wichterle in disputes over soft contact lens technology against companies like Bausch & Lomb, which concluded with favorable settlements for his clients.

Mr. Hartmann has spent his entire legal career at Leydig, Voit & Mayer, where he served as president of the firm from 2009 to 2015. He is active in all phases of intellectual property law, including Patent Office proceedings, and leverages extensive experience in international patent matters for companies across Asia and Europe. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976, having earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from DePaul University in 1976, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1970.