John W. Thornburgh

John W. Thornburgh is a seasoned patent litigator and Principal at Fish & Richardson, specializing primarily in patent litigation and appeals. His practice frequently involves computer-related technologies, including both hardware and software, as well as medical devices. He has also handled cases across various mechanical arts, such as eye surgery devices and rollerblades. While his tracked appearances show a defendant-side preference, his firm profile indicates he provides advocacy for both plaintiffs and defendants in patent disputes.

Thornburgh is based at Fish & Richardson, where he is a Principal. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for delivering victories in complex "make or break" cases, contributing to significant client wins, including those exceeding a billion dollars, and influencing precedent-setting cases concerning patent damages. A notable case in his portfolio includes representing Microsoft Corporation as of counsel in Uniloc USA, Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation, a patent infringement action involving software piracy technology.

His professional profile does not explicitly highlight experience in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) or Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings. Thornburgh earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1991, graduating first in his class and as Order of the Coif. He received his B.A. summa cum laude from Rice University in 1988, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, studying Economics and Philosophy. He is admitted to practice in California and before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal, Ninth, and Fifth Circuits, as well as all U.S. District Courts in California.