Brian Claassen leverages his legal experience and deep technical aptitude to successfully resolve high-stakes technology disputes. He has protected his clients’ valuable trade secrets and patents through litigation, including obtaining exclusion orders, preliminary and permanent injunctions. Brian navigates the most complex issues with poise. He co-chairs the firm’s electrical, semiconductor & computer technology litigation committee.
Brian develops clear strategic guidance that leads his clients to success in district court, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and appeals. Brian’s litigation victories have resulted in exclusion orders from the ITC, injunctions in federal courts, and multiple defense victories. On two separate occasions, Brian has persuaded the PTAB not to institute six separate petitions challenging his clients’ patents. Brian has also invalidated dozens of patents, including those purporting to cover industry standards.
Clients entrust Brian to master and present their most technically complex matters. Brian’s technical experience in electronic product design, including digital and analog hardware, signal processing, firmware and software development, helps him immediately understand his clients’ most complex technical issues. Brian has protected his client’s leading technology in industries including noninvasive monitoring, cellular phones, robotics, and semiconductors. Brian has also successfully challenged patents purporting to cover USB, side-curtain airbags, signal processing, and magnetic resonance imaging. Brian’s electrical engineering background gives him the ability to master wide-ranging technologies, such as wireless communications, signal processing, medical devices, automative electronics, semiconductors, consumer electronics, and digital and analog circuitry.
Brian is an active leader of the bar and involved member of the California legal community. He is a founding member and served in numerous positions with the Howard T. Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court. He also served as President of the Federal Bar Association Orange County Chapter. A leader within Knobbe Martens as well, Brian co-chairs the firm’s electrical, semiconductor & computer technology litigation committee. He also serves on the firm’s pro bono and litigation committees and is past chair of the firm’s mentor committee. Brian has been recognized by leading intellectual property publications for his outstanding work in intellectual property litigation.
Before joining the firm, Brian developed embedded systems and signal processing devices as a Senior Software and Hardware Engineer at QSC Audio Products.
University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., Intellectual Property Summer Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (2005)
Vanderbilt University, B.E., Electrical Engineering
State Bar of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court – Central District of California
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court – Northern District of California
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Advertising, Media & Entertainment
Athletes
Digital Distribution
Film & Television
Online Games
Social Media
Video Games & Interactive Entertainment
Communications Technology
Cellular Networking & Communications
Fiber Optic Networks
Internet Telephony
Low-Power Networks
Radio
Television
Wireless Local Area Networks
Consumer Products & Services
Sporting Goods & Recreation
Electrical, Semiconductor & Computer Technology
Electronics & Semiconductors
Healthcare Information Technology
Software & IT
Energy
Clean Technology
Energy Conservation
Energy Efficient Technologies
Solar Power
Wind Power
Financial Services & Business Methods
Blockchain & Smart Contracts
Cloud Computing
Cryptocurrency & Encryption
Data Privacy
Dispute Resolution
Licensing & Indemnification
Open Source
Medical Devices & Procedures
Ablation Technology
Cardiac Rhythm Management
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Glucose Monitoring & Insulin Infusion
Imaging
Medical Informatics & Software Systems
Minimally Invasive & Endoscopic Procedures
Pacemakers & Electrical Stimulation Devices
Robotics
Sleep Apnea
Surgical Equipment
Ventilators
Vital Signs, Physiologic, & Hemodynamic Monitoring
Transportation & Vehicles
Aerospace & Space Technology
Air Conditioning / Heating Systems
Automotive Transportation & Powersports
Batteries
Brake Systems
Diagnostic Equipment
Electronics (Audio / Video, Communication, Navigation, Security)
Elevators
Engines & Engine Components
Fuels & Additives
Motorcycles
Passenger Transportation
Personal Motorized Recreation Vehicles (ATVs, Snow Vehicles, Personal Watercraft)
Shipping
Suspension Components
Tires & Wheels
Tools & Related Equipment
Transportation Equipment
Advertising, Media & Entertainment Practice
Antitrust & Competition
Appellate Litigation
Copyright
Copyright Litigation
Copyright Litigation
Covered Business Method (CBM)
False & Comparative Advertising
False & Comparative Advertising Litigation
False Advertising Litigation
Inter Partes Review (IPR)
International Trade Commission (ITC) Disputes
IP Strategy
IP Transactions, Agreements & Venture Capital
Litigation
Patent Litigation
Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) Trials (Post Grant)
Post-Grant Review (PGR)
Trade Secret
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret Protection Advice & Counseling
Trademark & Brand Protection
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Trademark Trial & Appeal Board (TTAB) Disputes
TTAB Proceedings
Unfair Competition Litigation
- Recognized in Patexia’s 2023 PTAB Intelligence Report as a “Top Performer” based on activity and performance before the PTAB
- Named a “Southern California Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine for his work in intellectual property litigation (2014-2018)
- Howard T. Markey Inn of Court Program of the Year
- 2017 – 2018 “Inventorship Mystery Dinner Theater”
- 2015 – 2016 “IP Ethics”
Federal Bar Association – Orange County Chapter
President (Present-Nov 2022)
President Elect (2020-2021)
Treasurer (2019-2020)
Secretary (2018-2019)
Board Member (2016-2018)
Howard T. Markey Inn of Court
Membership Chair (2018-2019)
Program Chair (2017-2018)
ProVisors
