Nicholas A. Belair

Nicholas A. Belair is an experienced intellectual property litigator at Knobbe Martens, focusing primarily on patent litigation across a diverse range of technology areas. His practice encompasses medical devices, including non-invasive patient monitoring devices, prosthetic knees, intravascular implants and delivery devices, as well as pharmaceuticals, injection devices, cellular signal boosters, and consumer products. His background as an R&D and Quality Engineer in microcatheter-based device development further informs his expertise in the medical technology sector.

Belair demonstrates a versatile litigation practice, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His tracked appearances reflect a balance of 3 plaintiff-side engagements and 2 defendant-side engagements. Notably, he represents defendant Imperative Care, Inc. in the ongoing Inari Medical, Inc. v. Imperative Care, Inc. patent litigation, a case concerning medical devices.

Belair possesses considerable experience in post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including Inter Partes Review (IPR) and Post-Grant Review (PGR). A significant achievement includes his role on the Knobbe Martens team that secured an "unprecedented victory" for Spectrum Solutions LLC in IPR challenges, leading to the cancellation of all 183 claims across five patents and sanctions against the opposing party for "egregious abuse" of the PTAB process. He was recognized in the "Best Lawyers 2026 Guide: Ones to Watch" for Patent Litigation.

Admitted to the State Bar of California in 2014, Belair earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 2013, where he was an Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar and Executive Editor of the Journal of Science and Technology Law. He also holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering magna cum laude from the University of Southern California, awarded in 2007.