Ronald J. Schutz

Ronald J. Schutz is a highly experienced patent litigator and an immediate past Chair of the Executive Board at Robins Kaplan, where he has spent the majority of his distinguished private practice career since joining in 1987. His practice encompasses a broad range of technology areas, including software, audio and search technology, digital imaging, medical imaging (MRI machines), and radio communication systems, leveraging his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Throughout his career, Mr. Schutz has frequently represented individuals and smaller companies in plaintiff-side patent enforcement against large industry players, while also taking on significant defense roles. His tracked cases include leading the plaintiff team in Personal Audio LLC v. Apple Inc., which resulted in a jury award of $8 million plus prejudgment interest totaling over $12 million for a patent related to navigable playlists in audio players. He also served as Lead Counsel for the defendant in Microsoft Corporation v. X1 Discovery, Inc., a case involving search patents.

Mr. Schutz is particularly recognized for securing numerous high-value jury verdicts and settlements. Notable plaintiff-side victories include a $110.5 million jury verdict for Fonar Corporation against General Electric in an MRI technology patent infringement case, which was largely affirmed on appeal. Other significant outcomes include an $89 million judgment for Grantley Corporation against Clear Channel Communications for radio advertising management system patents, and substantial awards for St. Clair Intellectual Property Consultants against Canon and Sony relating to digital camera technology. He also has experience defending against IPR challenges; in one instance, all ten IPR petitions filed by Samsung against his client, ACQIS Technology, were denied.

Mr. Schutz earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Marquette University and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota and New York.