Emerson Thomson Bennett

Emerson Thomson Bennett is an intellectual property law firm headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with an additional office in Columbus. Established in 1992, the firm operates as an IP boutique, focusing exclusively on intellectual property law and serving clients across the U.S. and internationally. It is recognized by Chambers and Partners in its USA: Spotlight 2026 rankings within the Akron IP boutique hub.

The firm specializes in a broad range of IP litigation, encompassing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and its attorneys possess diverse technical backgrounds. Emerson Thomson Bennett's patent litigation experience spans various technologies, with a notable engagement in cases involving mechanical inventions, as evidenced by their representation in disputes related to "forced reset trigger" (FRT) technology in firearms.

While the firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants in intellectual property disputes, its tracked case history indicates a focus on the defense side, with two recorded appearances as lead counsel for defendants. A prominent example includes their defense of Rare Breed Triggers Inc. in cases such as Rare Breed Triggers Inc et al. v. Tyler Harrison et al. and Rare Breed Triggers Inc et al. v. 80mills LLC et al. These cases are situated within broader litigation surrounding FRT technology, which saw significant developments, including a Supreme Court ruling in Cargill v. Garland (June 2024) and subsequent district court decisions clarifying that FRTs are not "machineguns" under federal law. This broader legal landscape culminated in a May 2025 settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Rare Breed Triggers, which resulted in the vacatur of the ATF's classification of FRTs and the return of seized products.

Emerson Thomson Bennett also maintains a robust Post-Grant Proceedings practice, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPR) and Post-Grant Reviews (PGR) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). John M. Skeriotis, the firm's Litigation Practice Chair and a key partner, is particularly noted for his extensive experience in reexaminations and PTAB litigation, emphasizing a litigation-informed approach to patent protection and enforcement. Other key partners involved in the IP litigation practice include Roger D. Emerson, Daniel Thomson, and Sergey V. Vernyuk.