Experienced intellectual property litigator and former ExxonMobil technology manager Jeffrey J. Phillips has joined the Houston office of Jones Walker LLP as a partner in the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group.

Jeff’s practice focuses on intellectual property matters in a broad range of areas, including oil and gas, chemical processes and catalysts, foods and beverages, advanced biofuels, internal combustion engines, complex mechanical systems, and computer and software related technologies.

“Jeff is a great addition to the firm and his experience will be extremely beneficial to our energy industry clients in particular,” stated Bill Hines, Jones Walker’s managing partner. “His presence in Houston augments our seamless client service across the southeast.”

Jeff’s litigation experience includes both patent enforcement and patent defense in federal courts throughout the United States, including extensive experience in the Eastern District of Texas. Jeff has successfully led patent litigation teams and obtained summary judgments and favorable settlement terms on behalf of his clients. He has also successfully prosecuted complex patent and trademark cases before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, including appeals to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

In addition, Jeff counsels clients on important intellectual property issues, such as advising on patent portfolio management, preparing opinions relating to a company’s ability to sell its products and/or practice its valuable technology, preparing pre-acquisition intellectual property due diligence assessments, and structuring and negotiating technology licensing agreements and joint development agreements.

“We are excited to welcome Jeff to the firm and to our full service intellectual property team. He has a great reputation and we expect that he will hit the ground running,” said Bob Tucker, who heads Jones Walker’s Intellectual Property team.

Prior to beginning his legal career, Jeff provided worldwide technical and operations support for olefins and aromatics plants at ExxonMobil Corporation. While at ExxonMobil, Jeff was named a co-inventor of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,855,858 and 7,678,958 titled, “Method of Removing Dimethyl Ether from an Olefin Stream.”

“Patent defense has become particularly important to oilfield service providers looking to protect their new technique and equipment developments,” said Houston office head Josh Norris. “Jeff’s broad experience in this area strengthens our robust energy team,” added Norris.

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