Stephen Kenny

Stephen Kenny is a patent litigation attorney at Foley Hoag LLP, based in their New York office. His practice primarily focuses on intellectual property, with a notable emphasis on defending operating companies against patent assertions. All three of his tracked appearances are on the defendant side, underscoring this defense-oriented approach. His work often involves disputes concerning software, mobile applications, and connected vehicle technology, as evidenced by his involvement in cases related to vehicle identification systems for ridesharing services.

A significant portion of Kenny's experience includes navigating complex post-grant proceedings and appeals to the Federal Circuit. He was prominently involved in the series of cases surrounding Rideshare Displays, Inc. v. Lyft, Inc., including defending Lyft against five inter partes review (IPR) petitions challenging patents related to rideshare vehicle identification systems. In a favorable outcome for the defense, the Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's (PTAB) determination that many of the challenged claims were unpatentable for obviousness. The Federal Circuit also notably reversed the PTAB's decision to allow substitute claims, holding them patent-ineligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101 and invalid for lack of written description under § 112. This demonstrates his deep engagement with PTAB proceedings and high-stakes appellate litigation.

Beyond litigation, Kenny's broader patent practice encompasses product clearance and patentability landscapes. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School in 2008 and has been licensed to practice in New York since 2010. Kenny has been recognized for his work, being selected to Super Lawyers for 2025-2026 and to Rising Stars from 2016-2020.