Joseph J. Zito

Joseph J. Zito is an experienced patent litigation attorney with over thirty years of intellectual property practice, frequently serving as lead counsel. His practice encompasses a broad range of technical areas, including pharmaceuticals, software, semiconductor technology, computers, telecommunications, electro-mechanical and mechanical devices, chemical, and optical technologies. Based on tracked cases and firm affiliations, Mr. Zito primarily represents plaintiffs and patent owners, including in matters for patent assertion entities (PAEs).

Mr. Zito is affiliated with DNL ZITO, ZITO TLP, and has appeared with Whitestone Law. His litigation experience extends to numerous bench and jury trials, as well as seven investigations before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). He has been involved in over 40 reported decisions, including several precedential rulings from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Zito also handles matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including Inter-Partes Review (IPR) and PTAB appeals.

Notable representations include his role as lead counsel for IoT Innovations LLC v. Snap One, LLC, and Sampo IP, LLC v. Blackboard et al. He was also lead counsel for American Airlines, Inc. v. Intellectual Ventures I LLC, and counsel for Unified Patents v. Evolution Malta Ltd. A recent engagement involved Zito, LLC v. W.W. Grainger, Inc., a patent dispute concerning inventory management technology that concluded in a confidential settlement and dismissal with prejudice in January 2026. Past successes include securing multi-million dollar damages against the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense for patent infringement and obtaining over $17,000,000 in royalties from telecommunications patent assertions against multiple infringers.

Mr. Zito earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law in 1985 and a Bachelor of Science in Economics/Physics from North Carolina State University in 1982. He is admitted to the Maryland State Bar (1986), the District of Columbia Bar (1986), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Supreme Court (2009), in addition to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and various U.S. District Courts.