J. Steven Baughman

J. Steven Baughman is a prominent patent litigator known for his expertise in post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). His practice covers a broad spectrum of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, semiconductors, satellites, and fintech. Mr. Baughman is a founding partner of Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, a litigation boutique launched in November 2022 with other patent litigators who were previously partners at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Earlier in his career, he was an IP litigation partner at Ropes & Gray. He also previously opened the Tokyo office for a prior firm and is involved with Groombridge Wu's Tokyo operations.

He is particularly recognized for his extensive experience before the PTAB, where he has served as counsel of record in over 200 Inter Partes Review (IPR), Post-Grant Review (PGR), and Covered Business Method (CBM) proceedings, arguing more than 70 cases to a final hearing. Notably, he was counsel on some of the initial PTAB filings, including the first post-grant trial to reach a final decision, which was lauded as a "Milestone Case of the Year." Over the first 4.5 years of PTAB trials, he achieved a 47-0 record in final written decisions representing challengers, while also successfully defending key patents for patent owners, securing patents associated with over $1 billion in market value. He was also instrumental in forming the PTAB Bar Association in 2016 and served as its President from March 2020 to May 2021.

Mr. Baughman's practice demonstrates experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in patent disputes. While his tracked district court appearances show lead counsel roles for plaintiffs, such as in Fortinet, Inc. v. Palo Alto Networks, Inc., his PTAB work reflects a balanced representation of both patent challengers and patent owners. He currently serves as counsel for the patent owner in the ongoing PTAB proceedings Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. et al. (IPR2025-00799, PGR2025-00043), which concerns pharmaceutical patents.

He earned his B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. Mr. Baughman is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also previously held a registration as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi (registered foreign lawyer) in Japan.