Robert J. Carlson

Robert J. Carlson is a seasoned patent litigation attorney and a Partner at Lee & Hayes, where he focuses on intellectual property strategy, counseling, and litigation in federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. His practice encompasses patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters, with experience in acquiring, enforcing, and managing IP portfolios. He has represented Fortune 500 companies, regional technology firms, and startups across diverse industries including wireless telecommunications, consumer electronics, forest products, and manufacturing.

With a clear preference for defense, Mr. Carlson has served as lead counsel for defendants in patent disputes, as demonstrated by his appearance in Walker Digital, LLC v. Microsoft Corp. et al.. His career highlights include successfully handling cases at the International Trade Commission and in federal district courts. Additionally, he contributed to significant legal discourse by co-authoring Supreme Court amicus briefs in Markman v. Westview Instruments and Pfaff v. Wells Electronics through his role as chair of the Amicus Committee of the Federal Circuit Bar Association.

Mr. Carlson's firm, Lee & Hayes, is adept at handling intellectual property litigation across various venues, including federal courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), indicating his practice aligns with these forums. He is admitted to practice law in Washington state, registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and admitted to various U.S. Courts of Appeals, including the Federal Circuit, and several U.S. District Courts.